Second Circuit Treatment Courts to Hold Two Graduations in August
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Aug. 18, 2026
Contact: Alisa Bousa, Public Information Officer, via email or 605.773.2031
PIERRE, S.D.—Second Circuit Treatment Courts will hold two graduation ceremonies in August.
- Second Circuit DUI Court: Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026, 9:30 a.m. CDT, Courtroom 5A (Fifth Floor). The featured speaker will be Rachelle Rawson, who is the co-founder and executive director of Agape Community Services. With nearly 13 years in recovery, Rachelle has overcome addiction, incarceration, the loss of a child, and two battles with cancer while remaining committed to her sobriety.
- Second Circuit Drug Court: Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, 1 p.m. CDT, Courtroom 1A (First Floor). The featured speaker will be Raven Tiger, a prior drug court graduate who is currently an outreach specialist with the Wo'Okiye Program at South Dakota Urban Indian Health. Drawing from her own lived experience, Raven is passionate about supporting individuals and community that's impacted by substance use and help connecting people with resources, hope and healing.
Both events will be held at the Minnehaha County Courthouse at 425 N. Dakota Ave., Sioux Falls. Guests should enter the Minnehaha County Courthouse through security and proceed to the appropriate courtroom. The events are open to friends and family of the participants who are graduating, as well as the public.
DUI court and drug court graduations are an important part in a participant’s journey to build a life of responsibility and accountability. The events will celebrate participants who have gone through these rigorous programs and have successfully completed all five phases. During their time in the programs, participants have been responsible for multiple drug screens every week, they have paid their fines and fees in full, and they 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 DUI Court and Second Circuit Drug Court provide an innovative approach to rehabilitation. Instead of prison time, these courts guarantee supervision and allow offenders access to counseling, treatment and support to help them overcome addiction. The programs also enable participants to pay their taxes during rehabilitation, rather than putting their burden on the rest of the community. Participants are repeat offenders who are employed and repay court costs, fines and child support while they work toward achieving and maintaining sobriety.
Learn more about South Dakota’s treatment courts. For more information about Second Circuit DUI Court or Second Circuit Drug Court, contact Court Coordinator Rhiannon Weber at 605-215-2648 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.
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