The Board of Bar Examiners is empowered to make inquiries and investigations concerning the character, fitness and general qualifications of applicants for admission. In the conduct of investigations and upon hearings, the board may take and hear testimony and compel, by subpoena, the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, papers and documents. Any member of the board may administer oaths and issue subpoenas.

The contents of any report received by the Board of Bar Examiners relating to the character, fitness and general qualification of an applicant as well as the author of such report, shall be privileged and confidential between the author of the report and all members of the Board of Bar Examiners, its staff, and the applicant, and as appropriate, between the author of the report and the South Dakota Supreme Court. This rule of confidentiality does not prohibit the Board of Bar Examiners from furnishing relevant information to the Disciplinary Board when the board is conducting an investigation concerning the character, fitness and general qualifications of an attorney.

Source: Supreme Court Rule 3, Order No. 1, 1957; SDC Supp 1960, § 32.1103; Supreme Court Rule 84-15; Supreme Court Rule 95-10; SL 2003, ch 266 (Supreme Court Rule 03-7), eff. July 1, 2003.