South Dakota Unified Judicial System

08/15/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/15/2024 10:18

Second Circuit Drug Court to Hold Graduation Ceremony

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Aug. 15, 2024
Contact:Alisa Bousa, Public Information Officer
[email protected]| 605.773.2031

Second Circuit Drug Court to Hold Graduation Ceremony

PIERRE, S.D.- Drug Court graduation is an important part in a participant's journey to building a life of responsibility and accountability. The Second Circuit Drug Court team invites the public to join them in recognizing the accomplishments of participants successfully completing all five phases of the program.

A Second Circuit Drug Court graduation ceremony will take place on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, at 1 p.m. CDT in Courtroom 6A at the Minnehaha County Courthouse, 425 N. Dakota Ave., Sioux Falls. MicKayla Hanzlik, a peer support specialist with Straight Up Care and Drug Court alumni, and Manny Gutierrez, director of community engagement with Think 3D, will be the keynote speakers.

This event is open to the public, as well as family and friends of the participants who are graduating. The public is asked to enter the courthouse through the front entry, where they will have to go through security screening. They will then take the elevators, located to the right of the security area, to the sixth floor.(Temporary signage will be in place to direct guests.)

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. During their time in Drug Court, participants have been responsible for multiple drug screens every week, have paid their fines and fees in full, and have completed countless hours of chemical dependency treatment. Additionally, they have found jobs, stable and sober housing, and have become leaders in sobriety.

For more information, contact Nichole Larive, Second Circuit Treatment Court coordinator, at 605-201-9395 or [email protected]. 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.