J. Scott James

Scott is the founder of Southern Hills Law PLLC in Custer, South Dakota. After graduating in the top third of his class at KU law, Scott practiced civil litigation and advice at the law firm of Riling, Burkhead and Nitcher, Chtd in Lawrence, Kansas from 2006-2008. He worked as an Assistant County Attorney in Dodge City Kansas from 2008-2016 handling all types of cases, including homicide, violent crime, property crime, traffic, and other cases. Mr. James was an integral part of the 2011 Dodge City RICO indictment of the Norteno Street Gang in Dodge city. Scott had the privilege of serving as Kiowa County Attorney from 2013 through 2018. As Kiowa County Attorney, Scott represented the County in all matters, civil and criminal. Scott then served as the attorney general for the Oglala Sioux Tribe in Pine Ridge SD. Scott now lives in Hermosa, SD, with his wife and son and when not practicing law, enjoys the wonders of the outdoors the Black Hills of South Dakota have to offer.

University of Kansas School of Law

J.D. (2003) | Law

2001 - 2003

Honors: Top 1/3 of class

University of Tennessee - Knoxville

M.A.

2000

Owner and Managing Attorney

Southern Hills Law Firm

2022 - Current

Scott has opened a new practice in Custer SD focusing on local criminal and civil representation.

Attorney General

Oglala Sioux Tribe

2018 - 2022

Served as the Attorney General for the Oglala Sioux Tribe in Pine Ridge, SD. This job entailed a wide range of responsibilities, including managing a staff of tribal prosecutors and consulting with the tribal council on pending legal matters.

Owner and Managing Attorney

James Law Firm LLC

2016 - 2018

County Attorney

Kiowa County Attorney

2013 - 2018

Scott was the Kiowa County Attorney in Greensburg, KS and handled all matters for the county, criminal and civil. He was published for an open records case against the county hospital, prevailing in that claim.

Assistant County Attorney

Ford County Attorney's Office

2008 - 2016

Associate Attorney

Riling, Burkhead, and Nitcher, Chtd

2006 - 2007

Guardian of Justice

United States Attorney's Office

2015

Criminal Defense Top 10 Under 40

National Academy Of Criminal Defense Attorneys

For Excellence in the Field of Criminal Law

Distinguished Member

American Association Of Premier Dui Attorneys

State Bar of South Dakota  # 4795

Member

2017 - Current

State Bar of Kansas  # 22246

Member

2005 - Current

Kansas

Kansas Supreme Court

ID Number: 22246

Since 2005

South Dakota

State Bar of South Dakota

ID Number: 4795

Since 2017

• Free Consultation
  Free Initial Consultation
• Credit Cards Accepted
• Contingent Fees
  Contingency Fees on allowed types of cases (personal injury, civil)

Q. Will walmart call cops on my child for stealing with only camera footage, never caught in store

December 6, 2023

A: Ultimately, this is up to Wal Mart if they are going to make a report with the local police concerning the theft allegations. In South Dakota, you have up to 7 years to file a criminal case on a misdemeanor or felony charge. It sounds like if he comes back to the Wal Mart or has additional issues there, they could always come back and then file the report with the local police.