Fourth Circuit Treatment Courts to Hold Graduations in January

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Jan. 15, 2025
Contact: Alisa Bousa, Public Information Officer, Alisa.Bousa@ujs.state.sd.us or 605.773.2031

Fourth Circuit Treatment Courts to Hold Graduations in January

PIERRE, S.D.—Fourth Circuit DUI Court and Northern Hills Drug Court will hold two graduation ceremonies in January. Family, friends and members of the public are invited to attend the events.

  • Fourth Circuit DUI Court: Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, noon MST, Top Floor Courtroom, Lawrence County Courthouse, 78 Sherman St., Deadwood
  • Northern Hills Drug Court: Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, 10 a.m. MST, Sturgis Community Center Theater, 1401 Lazelle St., Sturgis

Matthew K., a 2018 DUI court graduate, will be the keynote speaker at the Fourth Circuit DUI Court graduation, and Sturgis Police Chief Geody VanDewater will be the keynote speaker at the Northern Hills Drug Court graduation. Graduates will also share their personal experience with the treatment court process.

Fourth Circuit Treatment Courts cover Butte, Lawrence and Meade counties in western South Dakota. Fourth Circuit DUI Court is held in Deadwood, and Northern Hills 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.

Learn more about South Dakota’s treatment courts at https://ujs.sd.gov/programs-services/treatment-courts. For more information about Fourth Circuit Treatment Courts, contact Treatment Court Coordinator Teresa Thybo at 605-347-7648 or teresa.thybo@ujs.state.sd.us.  

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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