Civil service is one of many duties the Hamlin County Sheriff's Office is required to provide under state law. Many people may not know that the sheriff and deputies with the department serve civil and criminal court papers, collect debt for distress warrants issued by the Treasurer's Office or the state of South Dakota, or collect money or assets ordered by the court to satisfy a judgment. The civil process also includes a sheriff's sale, a written order to the sheriff to sell property that has been foreclosed.
South Dakota State Law 7-12-18 or the county commissioners set fees regarding these services that the sheriff's office collects. At times, such fees may be collected before service begins.