PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: May 23, 2024
Contact: Alisa Bousa, Public Information Officer, Alisa.Bousa@ujs.state.sd.us | 605.773.2031
Second Circuit Drug Court to Hold Graduation Ceremony
PIERRE, S.D.— The Second Circuit Drug Court team invites the public to join them in recognizing the remarkable accomplishments of participants completing the program. A graduation ceremony will take place on Friday, May 31, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. CDT in Courtroom 6A at the Minnehaha County Courthouse, 425 N. Dakota Ave., Sioux Falls.
The celebration is open to the public, as well as family and friends of the participants who are graduating. Media is invited to attend, with interviews available upon request. Those attending are asked to enter the courthouse through the front entry, where they will have to go through security screening. Attendees will then take the elevators, located to the right of the security area, to the sixth floor.
The keynote speakers will be Jordan Banker and Abbey Miller, two past graduates who have continued in their recovery and become leaders in the community.
Drug court graduation is an important part in participants’ journey in building a life of responsibility and accountability. To graduate, participants must successfully complete all five phases of this rigorous program. During their time in the program, participants have been responsible for multiple drug screens every week, have paid their fines and fees, and have completed countless hours of chemical dependency treatment. Additionally, they have found jobs, stable and sober housing, and have become leaders in sobriety.
Second Circuit Drug Court provides an innovative approach to rehabilitation. Instead of prison time, drug court guarantees supervision and allows offenders access to counseling, treatment and support to help them overcome addiction. Drug court also enables participants to pay their taxes during rehabilitation, rather than putting their burden on the rest of the community. Drug court participants are repeat offenders who are employed and repaying court costs, fines, and child support while they work toward achieving and maintaining sobriety.
For more information, contact Desiree Kincaid, Second Circuit DUI Court coordinator, at 605-215-2648 or desiree.kincaid@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.