PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Jan. 2, 2025
Contact: Alisa Bousa, Public Information Officer, Alisa.Bousa@ujs.state.sd.us or 605.773.2031
Fourth Circuit Treatment Courts to Hold Graduation Ceremony
PIERRE, S.D.—The Fourth Circuit DUI Court and Northern Hills Drug Court teams invite the public to a graduation ceremony on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, at 2 p.m. MST at the Sturgis Community Center Theater, 1401 Lazelle St., Sturgis.
With their friends and family in attendance, participants who have gone through this intensive program and have successfully completed all phases will be honored. The commencement will include keynote speaker Emily M., a DUI Court graduate and current facilitator for peer support groups at Compass Point in the Northern Hills area. The commencement ceremony is open to the public and media.
Fourth Circuit Treatment Courts covers Butte, Lawrence and Meade counties in western South Dakota. DUI Court is held in Deadwood, and Drug Court is held in Sturgis. These weekly courts began in 2007. Treatment courts are the most successful intervention for leading people living with substance use and mental health disorders out of the criminal justice system and into lives of recovery and stability.
During their time in DUI or Drug Court, participants have been responsible for multiple drug screens every week, have paid their fines and fees in full, and have completed countless hours of chemical dependency treatment. Additionally, they have found jobs, stable and sober housing, and have become leaders in sobriety.
For more information, contact Fourth Circuit Treatment Courts Coordinator Rick Olauson at 605-222-0077 or richard.olauson@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.