Justice In Action
Pennington County State’s Attorney’s Office
Publishing Details
About This Podcast
Consider this podcast your exclusive backstage pass, offering an intimate look into the heart of our work. We won’t shy away from hot topics, tackling issues that intersect with our office—from mental health to drug trends in our community, violent crime, and more. Each month, we’ll also dive into our case archives to take a closer look at the headline-making cases that have shaped our community.
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Recent Episodes
Episode 22 - Law School Didn’t Teach Me This
In this episode of Justice in Action, we sit down with prosecutors at three very different stages of their careers to talk honestly about what law school prepares attorneys for and what it absolutely…
Episode 21 - Jumping Eagle Podcast
In this episode of Justice in Action, we take an in-depth look at State v. James Jumping Eagle, a case that left a lasting impact on the Rapid City community and, most importantly, on the family and…
Episode 20 - Annual Report
February marks annual report season for the Pennington County State’s Attorney’s Office, the Rapid City Police Department, and the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office. In this collaborative episode,…
Episode 18 - Jessica Rehfeld: A Decade to Justice – Part 2
Part Two focuses on the homicide investigation. Detectives walk us through the frantic search, the crucial break that changed everything, and the discovery of Jessica’s body nearly one year later.…
Episode 17 - Jessica Rehfeld: A Decade to Justice – Part 1
In Part One, we meet Jessica Rehfeld through the eyes of those who loved her most, especially her father, Michael. We learn who Jessica was, what mattered to her, and the circumstances that led up to…
Episode 19 - Jessica Rehfeld: A Decade to Justice – Part 3
In the final episode, we examine the prosecution, a process that stretched nearly a decade and tested everyone involved. From death penalty decisions and plea negotiations to delayed trials,…
Episode 16 - Stopping the Steal: Inside Rapid City’s Retail Theft Initiative
Retail theft was climbing fast in Rapid City — until law enforcement, prosecutors, and local businesses teamed up. Katy and Lara talk with RCPD’s Mark Eisenbraun and retailer Doug Smith about what…
Episode 15 - Impaired Driving in South Dakota: A Family’s Story, A Trooper’s Warning
In this powerful episode, Katy and Lara sit down with Trooper Louis Plunkett of the South Dakota Highway Patrol and Starla Pressley who lost her brother to an impaired driver. Together, they explore…
Episode 14 - Justice in Action: Tackling Truancy Together
Why does school attendance matter so much - not just for grades, but for a child’s future? In our latest episode of Justice in Action, we sit down with leaders from the Rapid City Area Schools and…
Episode 12 - Crime, Trauma, and Community Healing
Violent crime has been making headlines in our community—and with that, public concern about crime continues to grow. While it may feel like crime is increasing, the truth is that violent crime is…
Episode 11 - Survivor’s Story: Finding Strength After Justice
In this powerful episode of Justice in Action, we hear directly from Ashtyn, the survivor at the center of State v. Rolfe. More than a decade after testifying against her abuser, she bravely shares…
Episode 10 - The Investigation: Building the Case Against Rolfe
In this month’s gripping two-part series, Justice in Action takes you back 15 years to one of the first major internet crimes against children in our community. In Episode 10, we walk through the…
Episode 9 - Behind the Screens: Protecting Kids in the Digital Age
The internet can be a powerful tool, but it also comes with hidden dangers—especially for children. In this episode, we sit down with Forensic Examiner Hollie Strand from the local Internet Crimes…
Episode 8 - Breaking the Cycle Part 2
In Part 2 of Breaking the Cycle, Public Information Officer Katy Urban speaks with three graduates who shared their personal journeys from addiction to recovery. Their stories are raw, inspiring, and…
Episode 7 - Breaking the Cycle: How Drug Court Transforms Lives
In this episode, we sit down with members of the Pennington County Drug Court team to explore how this innovative program works, how it saves taxpayers money, transforms lives, and ultimately makes…
Episode 6 - From Cartels to Communities: The Fight Against Drugs
In this episode, we sit down with UNET (Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team) leader Sergeant Thad Mason to discuss the latest drug trends impacting South Dakota.Have a tip about illegal drug…
Episode 5 - A rape, a tough trial and why victim advocates are essential to the work we do
Today’s episode is a little different from our usual format. In this episode, State’s Attorney Lara Roetzel takes us through a challenging and emotional case involving the rape of a 14-year-old girl…
Episode 4 - School Safety
In this episode of Justice In Action, we’re joined by school resource officer leaders from both the Rapid City Police Department and the Pennington County Sheriff's Office to dive into the critical…
Episode 3 - Chari and Sherin's Story
Episode 3 of Justice in Action we take a hard look at one of the most tragic domestic violence cases in Pennington County's history. This episode delves into the story of Chari Smith and Sherin…
Episode 2 - Mental Health - Trends, Treatment and our Role
In Episode 2, we’re diving deep into the intersection of mental health and the criminal justice system. We’ll explore our role in mental commitment hearings, uncover the trends we’re seeing, and…
Frequently Asked Questions
Justice In Action has published 21 episodes since September 2024, covering topics in Government, News.
Justice In Action is currently highly active with new episodes monthly. Average episode length is 32m.
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