PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Nov. 22, 2024
Contact: Alisa Bousa, Public Information Officer, Alisa.Bousa@ujs.state.sd.us, 605.773.2031
Pennington County Veterans Court to Hold Graduation Ceremony
PIERRE, S.D.— Seventh Judicial Circuit Court will hold a graduation ceremony to recognize the remarkable accomplishments of those completing the Pennington County Veterans Court program on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. MST.
The ceremony will be held in Courtroom C9 (first floor) at the Pennington County Courthouse, 315 St. Joseph St., Rapid City. The ceremony is open to the public, media and cameras. The ceremony will also be streamed online at https://www.sd.net/UJSCourt2 for those who cannot attend in person.
Pennington County Veterans Court provides an innovative approach to rehabilitating veterans involved in the criminal justice system who are substantially impacted by a substance use disorder or mental health disorder and 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 veterans before the courts receive personalized and evidence-based treatment, ongoing support, recovery services and the benefits they have earned.
Treatment courts which include veterans court, drug court, DUI court and mental health court are an effective strategy for treating substance misuse and mental illness while reducing recidivism and saving taxpayer dollars. These courts have proven that a combination of supervision, treatment and support can lead people with substance use disorders and/or mental health disorders into lives of stability, wellness and recovery. Instead of prison time, treatment courts deliver services for lifelong recovery, keep our roads safe from impaired drivers, give parents tools they need to stay sober and maintain custody of their children, and divert individuals from a life of substance abuse, mental illness and crime. They have been proven to reduce use of jail and prison beds, emergency room admissions, family conflicts associated with domestic violence and child abuse, and foster care placements.
For more information contact Pennington County Veterans 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.