South Dakota’s two new federal judges have been sworn into their seats.
Camela Theeler and Eric Schulte received swearing-in ceremonies at the federal courthouse in Sioux Falls this week. Theeler was sworn in Wednesday, while Schulte's ceremony was Thursday.
This comes a few weeks after Theeler, a former circuit court judge, and Schulte, a Sioux Falls attorney, received approval from the U.S. Senate.
Their appointments means South Dakota’s U.S. District Court bench is at full strength with full-time judges for the first time since 2021. That's when Judge Jeffrey Viken of Rapid City announced his retirement. Judge Karen Schreier of Sioux Falls announced her retirement in 2023.
Both Viken and Schreier continued trying cases after their retirement, but at a reduced caseload, putting pressure on the state’s federal court.
