SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — While there was a chance problem-solving courts in Minnehaha County would have had to temporarily stop, there is now a partnership between the state and county set to help keep these specialty courts afloat.
Staffing concerns and the kind of caseload that comes with being the state’s biggest county saw Minnehaha County State’s Attorney Daniel Haggar collaborate with South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley.
“I’m really excited to have him involved,” Haggar said. “He’s going to step in, help us staff those courts. I think that’s a huge win for Minnehaha County.”
Notably, involvement in these probationary programs comes after an individual has pleaded guilty to a felony. With the collaboration, an assistant attorney general is set to staff Minnehaha County’s program following that sentence.
“This partnership will allow the state and Minnehaha County to combine resources, work together, to give the right opportunity to those individuals that want to better themselves and typically address addiction or perhaps a mental illness situation,” Jackley said.
In Minnehaha County, there are specialty courts for DUI and drug offenses as well as specialty courts dedicated to veterans and individuals struggling with their mental health.
“I would call it, like, an intense supervision, right,” Haggar said. “They’re going to come weekly, check-in. They have a court services officer who’s doing supervision. The team is meeting. There are going to be treatment requirements. You have a prosecutor who’s involved in those, the defense attorney, other parties.”
“There are those instances when specialty courts are the right alternative to incarceration,” Jackley said.
And, with buy-in, possibly a pathway to a better future for them and the people around them.
Santella: Do these courts have the potential to rehabilitate someone, Marty?
“I believe so,” Jackley said in response. “Obviously, whether it be incarceration or a problem-solving court, you can only rehabilitate individuals that want to be rehabilitated. It has to be on a voluntary basis. But I do believe it gives them the tools.”
Haggar says about 125 or 130 people are in specialty courts in Minnehaha County at the moment.
