PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Jan. 22, 2025
Contact: Alisa Bousa, Public Information Officer, Alisa.Bousa@ujs.state.sd.us, 605.773.2031
Pennington County Treatment Courts to Hold Two Graduations
PIERRE, S.D.—Pennington County Treatment Court teams invite the public to join them at two graduation ceremonies on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, to recognize the remarkable accomplishments of participants completing the programs.
- Pennington County DUI Court Commencement Ceremony: Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, 10 a.m. MST
- Pennington County Drug Court Commencement Ceremony: Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, 3 p.m. MST
Both ceremonies will take place in the Commission Chambers (bottom floor) of the Pennington County Administration Building, 130 Kansas City St., Rapid City. The events are open to the public, media and cameras. The ceremonies will also be streamed live online at https://www.sd.net/UJSCourt2 for those who cannot attend in person.
Pennington County DUI Court was established in 2013 as an alternative to prison for justice-involved persons dealing with substance use disorders and mental health disorders who are at a high likelihood to reoffend. The court offers intensive supervision, treatment for substance use and mental health, support services, and community-based resources to improve the overall wellbeing of the participants involved in the program.
Pennington County Drug Court was established in 2016 as an innovative approach to rehabilitating those substantially impacted by a substance use disorder or mental health disorder who are likely to be rearrested without intervention. This is a public health approach to justice reform in which treatment providers partner with probation, defense, prosecution, law enforcement and the judge to ensure individuals before the courts receive personalized and evidence-based treatment, ongoing support and recovery services.
For more information on Pennington County DUI Court, contact DUI Court Coordinator Sean Ireland at 605-394-2595 ext. 1345 or sean.ireland@ujs.state.sd.us. For more information on Pennington County Drug Court, contact Drug Court Coordinator Ashlee May at 605-394-2595 ext. 1223 or ashlee.may@ujs.state.sd.us. Learn more about South Dakota’s Treatment Courts at https://ujs.sd.gov/Circuit_Court/Problem_Solving_Courts/Default.aspx.
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About South Dakota Courts: The Unified Judicial System (UJS) consists of the Supreme Court, Circuit Courts and State Court Administrator’s Office. The Supreme Court is the state’s highest court and final decision maker on South Dakota law. The Circuit Courts are the state’s trial courts where criminal proceedings and civil litigation are handled. The State Court Administrator’s Office provides centralized administrative assistance and support services for the South Dakota judiciary. Learn more at https://ujs.sd.gov.