Pennington County's treatment courts are set to host three graduation ceremonies this May as part of National Treatment Court Month. The events aim to honor participants who have successfully completed the programs.
Justice Janine M. Kern of the South Dakota Supreme Court will address attendees at the Pennington County DUI Court graduation on May 22. On May 28, Linda Whittler, a graduate of the treatment court, will speak at the Pennington County Drug Court ceremony.
The public is welcome to attend these events, which will also be available for live streaming online at https://www.sd.net/UJSCourt2.
Treatment courts in Pennington County include veterans court, drug court, DUI court, and mental health court. These courts employ a strategy combining supervision with treatment and support to help individuals with substance use or mental health disorders achieve stability and recovery.
This approach represents a public health initiative aimed at justice reform. It involves collaboration between treatment providers and various legal entities such as probation officers, defense attorneys, prosecutors, law enforcement officials, and judges. Together they provide personalized and evidence-based treatments along with ongoing support services.
For further details on specific courts within Pennington County—Veterans Court or Drug Court—interested parties can contact Court Coordinator Ashlee May via phone at 605-394-2595 ext. 1223 or email Ashlee.May@ujs.state.sd.us. Information regarding the DUI Court or Mental Health Court can be obtained by reaching out to Sean Ireland at 605-394-2595 ext. 1345 or sean.ireland@ujs.state.sd.us.
More information about South Dakota’s treatment courts is available online at https://ujs.sd.gov/Circuit_Court/Problem_Solving_Courts/Default.aspx.
South Dakota Courts' Unified Judicial System includes the Supreme Court—the state's highest judicial authority—and Circuit Courts where criminal cases and civil disputes are processed. The State Court Administrator’s Office offers centralized administrative support for these judicial bodies.