The Second Circuit Treatment Courts in Sioux Falls are set to host two graduation ceremonies for participants who have completed their respective programs. The Second Circuit Drug Court graduation is scheduled for Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 1 p.m. CST in Courtroom 1A on the first floor of the Minnehaha County Courthouse at 425 N. Dakota Ave. Cassie H., a previous graduate of the drug court program, will serve as the keynote speaker.
The Second Circuit DUI Court will hold its graduation on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. CST in Courtroom 5A on the fifth floor of the same courthouse. Jon Sommervold, executive director of Tallgrass Recovery and Sober Living Homes in Sioux Falls, will deliver remarks as keynote speaker.
Both ceremonies mark an important point for participants working toward greater responsibility and accountability in their lives. The events are open to friends and family members of graduates as well as the general public. Attendees are required to enter through courthouse security before proceeding to the designated courtroom.
According to organizers, Second Circuit Treatment Courts take a different approach to rehabilitation by offering supervision and access to counseling instead of incarceration. These courts allow offenders access to treatment and support services aimed at helping them overcome addiction. Participants continue paying taxes during rehabilitation and are expected to pay court costs, fines, and child support while maintaining employment and working toward sobriety.
The South Dakota Unified Judicial System serves as the judicial branch of state government and includes circuit courts such as those holding these graduations (https://ujs.sd.gov/). The system supports judicial education, transparency in proceedings, and provides public access to court records and legal resources online (https://ujs.sd.gov/).
For further information about South Dakota’s treatment courts or details about each event, contact Treatment Court Coordinators Rhiannon Weber or Nichole Larive through the provided channels.
