SAVIN stands for Statewide Automated Victim Information & Notification. The South Dakota SAVIN program is a free, automated service that provides crime victims notification (via text or email) 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This service allows victims or other interested parties to obtain information about court dates, and to register for notification of a change in offender status, such as offender release. Registration with SAVIN is encouraged, particularly for cases where a victim is a survivor or family member of an offender of a major crime charged by the State’s Attorney’s Office.
Registration is found at the South Dakota Attorney General’s office webpage, and may be accessed by clicking on the following link: https://savin.sd.gov/portal/
Generally, adult criminal proceedings are matters of public record and proceedings are open to the public. As a victim, you may attend any court proceeding held against a defendant who has been charged with a crime; however, you are generally not required to be present at proceedings, unless you are subpoenaed to be there. When you are subpoenaed to a court proceeding, your attendance is required. See ‘Tips for Testifying’.
At any court appearance for a defendant it is likely that the Court may consider the Defendant’s bond or release status, may schedule further hearings, or may accept a plea. If you would like to be involved in those proceedings or submit a letter to the Court with any comments you may have about the matter, please contact the State’s Attorney Office. Alternatively, you may note your presence at the defendant’s court hearing and speak in person to the Court and parties at bond hearings or sentencing. Please also be aware that hearings are subject to change and rescheduling and you should maintain contact with the State’s Attorney’s Office if you wish to be kept apprised of hearing dates/times so that your correspondence may be timely considered.