OPINION — While church pews filled across South Dakota on Sunday morning, I was in a very different place — a packed courtroom in Sturgis. Outside, the roar of motorcycles rolled through the Black Hills as thousands of riders poured into town for the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Inside, the Meade County Courthouse rally-related cases began to unfold — a reminder that not all the action is found on Main Street.
I just spent the last eight days in court in Sturgis. Meade County is the only county in South Dakota that holds court on Saturdays and Sundays — a necessity during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally to keep up with the surge in cases.
Watching our justice system in action during Sturgis Bike Rally week was both interesting and illuminating. Many people accused of crimes don’t realize how fortunate they are to be in the United States, where an arrest comes with guaranteed rights under the Constitution.
On Sunday morning, Aug. 3, the first Sunday court session was called to order. One by one, those arrested during the rally were escorted into the packed courtroom by Meade County Sheriff deputies. Before proceedings began, the accused were advised of their rights:
- You have the right to know the charges listed in the complaint.
- You are not required to make a statement today, in court. You have the right to remain silent.
- You have the right to an attorney, and if you cannot afford one, you have the constitutional right to have one appointed.
- You are entitled to a reasonable bond.
If charged with a felony, a formal charge must be filed either by indictment or information.
- You have the right to a preliminary hearing, and the state must file an indictment or information within 15 days if you are in custody, or 45 days if you are out on bond.
- You are entitled to a speedy and public trial before a jury of your peers.
- You are presumed innocent and cannot be compelled to testify against yourself.
- You may plead not guilty — even if you think you are guilty.
After the rights were read, offenders were called forward one by one. Each was told the charges against them, asked whether they would hire their own attorney or request a court-appointed one, given a future court date, and had bond set by the judge.
The accused came from across the United States and even as far as Mexico. What struck me most was the age of the individuals, many of whom were over 45, with some well into their 60s or beyond. After attending court for eight consecutive days, I can say with certainty that many cases involved driving while intoxicated or possession of a controlled drug or substance, most commonly meth, cocaine, psilocybin mushrooms, hydrocodone, and some marijuana. Other charges included solicitation of a minor, aggravated assault, simple assault, resisting arrest, driving with a suspended license, no insurance, speeding, eluding law enforcement, altering a vehicle registration and a variety of other offenses.
Meade County officials have turned the Rally-season court into a well-oiled operation, perfected over decades. In a matter of days Sturgis transforms from a small-town court serving Meade County residents into a high-volume court system more akin to a busy urban courthouse. Two courtrooms operate daily — magistrate court in the basement and circuit court on the ground floor. Every detail is streamlined: tape marks on the floor guide foot traffic, a metal detector screens all entrants, clerk of courts, court staff, and judges move with practiced efficiency and expertise. Judges in the 4th Circuit are assigned shifts and made available 24/7 to authorize search warrants for law enforcement.
Prosecutors and their staff work tirelessly throughout the Rally — preparing case files, running criminal histories, and convening evening grand jury while keeping pace with the steady stream of new cases arriving around the clock. The prosecutor’s office operates with remarkable efficiency — focused, prepared, and ready to move each case forward.
Meade County covers a vast area of 3,483 square miles, giving the Meade County Sheriff’s Office a significant challenge in managing law enforcement across the entire county during the Sturgis Bike Rally. To handle the influx of arrestees, the old jail in the courthouse basement — which closed in 1994 — reopens during the Rally to accommodate the overflow from the nearby 80-bed jail. The Meade County Sheriff’s Office, Sturgis Police Department and the South Dakota Highway Patrol play an essential role in maintaining safety and order during the bike rally. Their dedication, professionalism, and ability to handle a high-pressure environment with efficiency and calm are truly commendable. The exceptional efforts of these law enforcement agencies deserve heartfelt thanks and appreciation from the community and all who attended the Rally.
In the U.S., the criminal justice system is designed to protect the rights of the accused, ensuring fair treatment and due process.
So, while being accused is obviously serious and stressful, having a system that respects your rights and offers multiple protection is a major safeguard — and that’s why people can be considered lucky to live in the United States of America.
