FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, May 11, 2020

PIERRE, S.D. - Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg today announced the appointment of Perkins County State’s Attorney Shane Penfield to serve on the South Dakota Council for Improving Criminal Justice Responses for Persons with Mental Illness effective immediately.

 “Shane has served our State and the citizens of Perkins County in multiple roles since 1998,” said Ravnsborg.  “I have no doubt that his knowledge and experience will be a great asset in this new role on the council.”    

Penfield is a South Dakota native who graduated from Lemmon High School in 1994.  He received his Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree, and Juris Doctorate all from the University of South Dakota.  Penfield served as the Student Regent on the South Dakota Board of Regents from 1998 until his graduation from law school in 2003, a position he was appointed to by both Governors Janklow and Rounds.  He also serves as the Perkins County State’s Attorney, City Attorney for Lemmon and McIntosh, the Lemmon School District Attorney, runs his own practice and is a member of the Lemmon Fire Department.

The Oversight Council consists of fourteen members appointed by the Governor, the Chief Justice of the South Dakota Supreme Court, the Senate Majority leader, the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, and the Attorney General.

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The Office of the Attorney General is the chief legal office for the State of South Dakota and provides legal advice to agencies, boards, and commissions of the State as well as representing the State in state and federal court.  The Office of Attorney General also handles prosecutions, felony criminal appeals, civil matters, consumer protection issues, and issues formal opinions interpreting statutes for agencies of the state.  Visit www.atg.sd.gov to learn more.

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CONTACT: Tim Bormann, Chief of Staff, (605) 773-3215