Sonny D. Walter - a Sioux Falls, South Dakota (SD) Criminal Defense Lawyer

Sioux Falls Criminal Defense Lawyer

Updated: 05/19/2026

Areas of Practice

Criminal Defense
Drug Charges Defense
Assault Charges Defense
Theft Charges Defense
Sex Crimes Defense

Attorney Information

Overview

I hail from Freeman, South Dakota, where I spent my formative years. In 1979, I proudly received my high school diploma from Freeman High School. Continuing my pursuit of knowledge, I enrolled at the esteemed University of South Dakota and successfully completed my Bachelor of Science degree in 1985.

In 1989, I graduated from the University of South Dakota School of Law and obtained my license to practice law from the Supreme Court of South Dakota. Following that, I joined the Minnehaha County Public Defender's Office in Sioux Falls, where I had the privilege of working alongside an exceptional team of criminal defense attorneys.

I was admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota in 1996. Throughout my career, I have tried numerous misdemeanor and felony cases across the state. My record with the Minnehaha County Public Defender's Office for the most jury trial wins remained unchallenged until 2006. For 14 years, I achieved victory in every misdemeanor case I took to trial. Additionally, I have a successful track record in most of the felony cases I have tried.

I have been the owner and operator of my private practice since 1996. My main focus has been criminal defense, where I handle a diverse range of criminal cases throughout the state.

From 1999 to 2017, I served as the contracted governor of South Dakota, providing assistance to inmates in the penitentiaries of Sioux Falls, Springfield and Yankton. My role involved addressing a wide range of matters including appeals, habeas corpus, parole issues, prison conditions and sentence modifications, among others.

I had the privilege of teaching constitutional law and legal research at two esteemed local colleges in Sioux Falls.

Education

Legal Education
- University of South Dakota School of Law, Vermillion, South Dakota, 1989
  J.D.
Non Legal Education
- University of South Dakota, 1985
  B.S., Bachelor of Science

Current Employment Position(s)

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Owner
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Past Positions

Minnehaha County Public Defenders Office, Attorney, 1989 - 1996

Representative Cases

State v. Jones
- Citation: 2017 SD 59
- Court: South Dakota
State v. Hale
- Citation: 2018 SD 9
- Court: South Dakota

Published Works

Articles

State v. Pharis, Brookings County. , Aggravated assault charge reduced to disorderly conduct.
Stave v. Holforty, Beadle county. , 5 minute not guilty verdict on rape 2nd degree case.
State v. Vomacka, Brookings county. , Not guilty verdict in Rape in the first degree case and sexual contact case.
State v. Baier, Minnehaha County. , Got Aggravated assault case dismissed.
State v. Vosberg, Hamlin County. , Not guilty verdict in attempted murder case.
State v. Hale., Won appeal to South Dakota Supreme court on plea agreement.
State v. Beach, Lyman County., 10 day jail sentence for client caught with 50lbs of marijuana.
State v. Becking, Codington County., Got aggravated assault charge dismissed before trial.
State v. Easterlin, Davison County., Suspended imposition of sentence on case where client caught with 10lbs of marijuana.
State v. Fallon, Davison county., Felony Drug Case dismissed after winning motion to suppress evidence based upon illegal stop.
State v. Hinrichs, Minnehaha County. , Got Burglary case dismissed by proving alleged victim lied.

Bar Admissions

South Dakota, 1989
U.S. Supreme Court, 2017
U.S. District Court District of South Dakota, 1996

Other Affiliations

South Dakota Association Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2013 - Present

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Contact

Sioux Falls, SD

335 N. Main Ave
Suite 230
Sioux Falls, SD 57104

Directions

Phone: 605-450-6182

Email: Send a message

Website: https://www.walterlawoffice.com

Credit Cards Accepted
Free Consultations

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Sonny D. Walter - Sioux Falls, SD