Sixth Circuit Treatment Court to Hold Graduation on November 18
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Nov. 9, 2026
Contact: Alisa Bousa, Public Information Officer, via email or 605.773.2031
Sixth Circuit Treatment Court to Hold Graduation on November 18
PIERRE, S.D.—Sixth Circuit Treatment Court will hold a graduation ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2026, at 9 a.m. CST at the Capitol Lake Visitors Center in Pierre.
With their friends and family in attendance, participants who have successfully completed all phases of this drug and DUI court program will be honored. The event is open to the public and media. The guest speaker will be TJ Gallagher.
Sixth Circuit Treatment Court’s mission is to enhance public safety and to improve the quality of life for participants, families and the community by providing a judicially-supervised regimen of treatment, supervision and case management to alcohol and/or drug dependent participants. The Sixth Judicial Circuit established its DUI court in 2009, followed by its drug court 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 about South Dakota’s treatment courts. For more information about Sixth Circuit Treatment Court, contact Coordinator Courtney Tedder at 605-223-7618 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.