Codington County Treatment Court to Hold Graduation on September 30

Codington County Treatment Court invites the public to help recognize participants who have successfully completed all phases and requirements of the treatment court program.

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Sept. 28, 2026
Contact: Alisa Bousa, Public Information Officer, via email or 605.773.2031

Codington County Treatment Court to Hold Graduation on September 30

PIERRE, S.D.— Codington County Treatment Court invites the public to help recognize participants who have successfully completed all phases and requirements of the treatment court program.

Codington County Treatment Court will hold a graduation ceremony on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, at 1 p.m. CDT in Courtroom 222 in the Codington County Courthouse at 14 First Ave. SE in Watertown. The event is open to the public and media. 

Codington County Treatment Court’s mission is to enhance public safety with the goal of developing sober, productive, law-abiding citizens by holding participants accountable while providing supervision, treatment and life skills in a judicial setting. The treatment court was established in 2014.

Treatment courts combine accountability, supervision and treatment. Participants are expected to follow court requirements, attend treatment, remain engaged in recovery, meet regularly with supervision staff, submit to drug and alcohol testing when required, and appear before the judge for ongoing review of their progress. Participants are held accountable for their choices through consistent responses to both progress and noncompliance.

Treatment court teams include judges, probation officers, treatment providers, prosecutors, defense attorneys and law enforcement who work together to address participant needs while maintaining a focus on public safety and accountability. Evidence-based treatment and recovery services are paired with structured supervision to help participants reduce behaviors associated with future criminal activity and build the skills needed for long-term stability.

Graduation represents more than completion of treatment. Graduates have met the requirements of a rigorous court-supervised program and demonstrated sustained progress toward recovery, personal responsibility and positive change.

Learn more information about South Dakota Treatment Courts. For more information about Codington County Treatment Court, contact Treatment Court Coordinator Maria Wendte at 605-868-6495 or via email.  

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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 about UJS.