Doe v. Nelson

GILBERTSON, Chief Justice.

[¶ 1.] Doe and other applicants (hereinafter Applicants) sought a writ of prohibition against Chris Nelson, the South Dakota Secretary of State (Secretary of State) and the South Dakota Board of Pardons and Paroles (Board), prohibiting the Secretary of State and Board from releasing the names contained in numerous sealed pardons in the Secretary’s possession. The trial court granted the writ. On appeal, we focus not on the general broad Constitutional authority of the Governor to grant or deny pardons, but rather the narrow question of their status once the Governor…