LEAD, S.D. (AP) – Gov. Dennis Daugaard’s administration says drug and DUI courts are working for offenders and taxpayers in South Dakota, and the governor is pushing for lawmakers to fund three new ones in the 2015 legislative session.
Daugaard’s budget proposal puts $600,000 toward bringing the number of such specialty courts up to 13 in South Dakota and to flip an existing court from federal funding onto state aid.
Advocates say drug courts help offenders by keeping them in the community and treating their addictions while holding them accountable. Daugaard’s office says reducing the state prison population saves taxpayer money.
New drug courts would be located in Beadle and Brown counties. A group of counties in western South Dakota would see a new DUI court.