Practice areas: Criminal Defense, Personal Injury; view more
Licensed in South Dakota since: 1996
Education: The University of South Dakota School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2022 - 2025 Attorney Matthew Kinney founded Kinney Law, PC, located in Spearfish, Rapid City and Sturgis, South Dakota. He serves clients in all three locations from his office in Spearfish, assisting them with various legal matters such as:
Criminal law: DUI, drug crimes, fake IDs, hunting violations, theft crimes, violent crimes, assault, sex offenses, motorcycle theft and illegal firearm possessions
Personal injury: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, premises liability and wrongful death
Apart from these, he also handles cases involving business and corporate law, real estate transactions, estate administration and probate.
Mr. Kinney graduated from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities with a Bachelor of Arts in journalism in 1990. He then worked in the insurance industry for a while, before deciding to study law. Earning his Juris Doctor from the University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law in 1995, he was licensed by the State Bar of South Dakota in 1996. Later, he was admitted to appear before the U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota.
For his high ethical standing and professionalism within the legal community, Mr. Kinney has been rated AV Preeminent* through Martindale-Hubbell, the highest peer review rating that sets apart the country’s elite attorneys. He has also been endorsed by his fellow lawyers for his vast knowledge of the law and the ability to guide clients through each step of the process.
Outside of his law practice, Mr. Kinney has served on several private property and public services management boards. In his leisure time, he enjoys outdoor activities, music and spending time with his family.
*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.
Practice areas
Criminal Defense, Personal Injury - General: PlaintiffFocus areas
Arrest & Arraignment, Assault & Battery, Criminal Domestic Violence, Criminal Law, Drug & Alcohol Violations, Felony, Misdemeanor, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Motor Vehicle Offenses, Murder, Personal Injury - Plaintiff, Probation, Sex Offenses, Theft, Traffic Violations, Trucking Accidents, Wrongful Death
- 90% Criminal Defense
- 10% Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff
First Admitted: 1996, South Dakota
Professional Webpage: https://www.kinney-law.com/attorney/matthew-j-kinney/
Bar / Professional Activity
- U.S. District Court District of South Dakota
- South Dakota, 1996
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- Stanley vs. South Dakota Dept Public Safety, 987 N.W.2d 410 https://ujs.sd.gov/uploads/sc/opinions/30038b6369a9.pdf, 2023
- State of SD vs. Haar, 772 N.W.2d 157 (http://ujs.sd.gov/uploads/sc/opinions/24988.pdf), 2009
- State of SD vs. Shanna Ballard, http://www.ujs.sd.gov/Supreme_Court/opiniondetail.aspx?ID=341
- State of SD vs. Tillman , S.D. 57 (http://ujs.sd.gov/uploads/sc/opinions/26102.pdf), 2012
- State of SD v. Williams, S.D. 44 ( https://ujs.sd.gov/uploads/sc/opinions/28938281a96b.pdf), 2020
- State of SD vs. Heney, https://ujs.sd.gov/uploads/sc/opinions/26624.pdf
- State of SD vs. Bilben, http://ujs.sd.gov/uploads/sc/opinions/26782.pdf
- State v. Ballard, 2000 SD 134 (http://www.ujs.sd.gov/Supreme_Court/opiniondetail.aspx?ID=341), 2000
- Saiz v. Horn, 668 N.W.2d 332 (http://www.ujs.sd.gov/Supreme_Court/opiniondetail.aspx?ID=1166), 2003
- Berkley v. Dowling, S.D. 9 ( https://ujs.sd.gov/uploads/sc/opinions/27021.pdf, 2015
- MGA Insurance vs. Goodsell, 07 N.W.2d 483 (http://www.ujs.sd.gov/Supreme_Court/opiniondetail.aspx?ID=1482), 2005
- Robert Bender vs. Dakota Restort, 700 N.W.2d 739 (http://www.ujs.sd.gov/Supreme_Court/opiniondetail.aspx?ID=1445), 2005
- State of SD vs. Sweedland, 721 N.W.2d 409 (http://ujs.sd.gov/uploads/sc/opinions/23713.pdf), 2006
- State of SD vs. Swan, 753 N.W.2d 418 (http://ujs.sd.gov/uploads/sc/opinions/24621.pdf), 2008
- Craig Saiz and Patty Saiz v Rod Horn d/b/a Horn Real Estate , http://www.ujs.sd.gov/Supreme_Court/opiniondetail.aspx?ID=1166
- Dakota Craft vs. Severson, 769 N.W.2d 434 (http://ujs.sd.gov/uploads/sc/opinions/25002.pdf), 2009
- Guardianship of Blare, http://www.ujs.sd.gov/Supreme_Court/opiniondetail.aspx?ID=369)
Educational Background
- University of Minnesota-Minneapolis, B.A. - 1990, Major: Journalism
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2022 - 2025
Additional sources of information about Matthew Kinney
"Ask a Lawyer" answers provided by Matthew Kinney
- Q: What Are The Potential Consequences Of A South Dakota Drug Crime?
A: More than most people realize. There are judicial consequences for a conviction, like fines and jail time. There are also “collateral … - Q: Could I Lose My Out-Of-State License Over A DUI/DWI In South Dakota?
A: Yes, but it depends on what happens in your case. If you are convicted of DUI in South Dakota – and that includes pleading guilty – the state … - Q: What Should I Know If I’m Arrested In South Dakota At The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally?
A: The most important thing to know about being arrested during the Sturgis Rally is that things move fast – and that means you need a good lawyer …
