On August 2nd of 2011 Wessington Springs School Superintendent Lance Witte changed his plea on a charge of driving with a revoked license. Performance Radio News was granted use of audio in the Change of Plea/Sentencing hearing. The hearing was done over the Digital Dakota Network interactive statewide video conference system at the Brookings County Courthouse in Brookings, home court of now retired Circuit Court Judge David Gienapp, and the Davison County Courthouse in Mitchell. Judge Gienapp granted the audio use but only if Performance Radio News attended the hearing in Brookings in the presence of court personnel. During the hearing, an explanation of what happened is given. A work permit was never issued as it should have been to Mr. Witte due to the fact hours of employment were not submitted be placed on the permit by Beadle County Clerk of Courts officials. Witte assumed the could drive since he was granted a permit and was then arrested by the South Dakota Highway Patrol near Alpena without a valid permit in hand. Witte would ask for a suspended imposition of sentence, meaning the offense would be cleared from his record, if he followed probation.
Lance Witte Change of Plea-Sentencing Hearing On Revoked License Charge