Pennington County Treatment Courts to Hold Three Graduation Ceremonies in May

May 3, 2024

Press Release, Seventh Judicial Circuit, Treatment Court

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: May 3, 2024
Contact: Alisa Bousa, Public Information Officer, Alisa.Bousa@ujs.state.sd.us, 605.773.2031

Pennington County Treatment Courts to Hold Three Graduation Ceremonies in May

PIERRE, S.D.—Pennington County’s treatment court teams invite the public to join them in recognizing the remarkable accomplishments of participants completing the programs. As part of National Treatment Court Month, three Pennington County treatment courts will hold graduation ceremonies in May.

Pennington County Veterans Court: Thursday, May 16, 2024, 10:30 a.m. MDT, Courtroom M1 (second floor), Pennington County Courthouse, 315 St. Joseph St., Rapid City
Pennington County DUI Court: Wednesday, May 22, 2024, 10 a.m. MDT, Commission Chambers, Pennington County Administration Building, 130 Kansas City St., Rapid City
Pennington County Drug Court: Tuesday, May 28, 2024, 3 p.m. MDT, Courtroom C8 (first floor), Pennington County Courthouse, 315 St. Joseph St., Rapid City

South Dakota Supreme Court Justice Janine M. Kern will be the featured speaker at the Pennington County DUI Court graduation on May 22. Linda Whittler, a treatment court graduate, will be the featured speaker at the Pennington County Drug Court graduation on May 28.

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.

Treatment courts include veterans court, drug court, DUI court and mental health court. These courts have proven that a combination of supervision, treatment and support can lead people with substance use and/or mental health disorders into lives of stability, wellness and recovery.

Pennington County treatment courts provide an innovative approach to those substantially impacted by a substance use or mental health disorder who are likely to be rearrested without intervention. This is a public health approach to justice reform. 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 Veterans Court and Drug Court, contact Court Coordinator Ashlee May at 605-394-2595 ext. 1223 or Ashlee.May@ujs.state.sd.us. For more information on Pennington County DUI Court or Mental Health Court, contact Sean Ireland at 605-394-2595 ext. 1345 or sean.ireland@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.