Yankton County Drug & DUI Court to Hold Graduation Ceremony

December 28, 2023

Press Release, Treatment Court, First Judicial Circuit

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Dec. 28, 2023
Contact: Alisa Bousa, Public Information Officer, Alisa.Bousa@ujs.state.sd.us or 605.773.2031

Yankton County Drug & DUI Court to Hold Graduation Ceremony

PIERRE, S.D.—Yankton County Drug & DUI Court will hold a graduation ceremony to honor participants’ achievements on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. CST. The event will take place at the Yankton County Courthouse and Safety Center, 410 Walnut St., Yankton, in Courtroom A on the second floor.

The commencement speaker will be Todd Brandt, director of campus safety at Mount Marty University. Brandt started his law enforcement career in 1994 as a jailer with the Yankton Police Department. He continued his assent in the department and held positions in patrol, investigations, and his final role as a police commander. In 2013, Brandt was part of the development of Yankton County Drug Court and served on the team as the law enforcement representative until his retirement from the police department in 2022.

The graduation ceremony shows the commitment the Yankton County Drug & DUI Court team has in the fight to overcome substance abuse. The ceremony is open to the public, friends and family of the graduating participants, as well as local media. A reception will follow in Courtroom A in the Yankton County Courthouse and Safety Center.

Yankton County Drug & DUI Court is a court-managed, alcohol/drug intervention treatment program designed to provide a cost-effective alternative to traditional criminal case processing. Yankton County Drug Court began operation in 2013, adding a DUI Court track in 2019. The court serves individuals living in Yankton County.

Problem-Solving Courts are an effective strategy for treating substance abuse and mental illness while reducing recidivism and saving taxpayer dollars. 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. To learn more, visit https://ujs.sd.gov/Circuit_Court/Problem_Solving_Courts. For more information, contact Sharon Kraft, Yankton County Drug & DUI Court coordinator, at 605-668-3079 or sharon.kraft@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.