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Medina Valor Court program begins accepting participants
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: November 12, 2021
Two participants have been accepted into Phase One of the Medina Municipal Court’s ValorCourt program. This after the Valor Court earned initial certification as a specialized docket from the Ohio Supreme Court on Aug. 12.
“It is so gratifying to see this finally coming to pass,” said Medina Municipal Court Judge Gary F. Werner. “I’ve had it in my mind to start a veterans court since I first ran for judge in 2014.
“I am not a veteran,” said Judge Werner. “But my close veteran friends have provided tremendous support for this idea for many years.
“The program concentrates in one place the manifold benefits available for veterans needing help of whatever kind.”
Chief Probation Officer Matt Esterle said he’s been working closely with the judge to begin the program ever since he started at the court in September 2019.
“I ran a veterans treatment court for Akron Municipal Court Judge Jerry Larson for a number of years and one of the reasons I was brought on staff here was to help the judge start a valor court.”
The first Valor Court session was held on Sept. 21 after employees underwent approximately six months of training.
The four-phase program lasts a minimum of 12 months, depending upon the progress of the individual participant.
The screening process begins during the arraignment hearing, with the magistrate asking whether the defendant has served in the U.S. military.
“We don’t ask if the defendant is a veteran because that implies the person was involved in a military conflict,” said Esterle. “If the answer is yes, the defendant is advised about the Valor Court program. Any defendant who wants to learn more is referred to our probation officer who provides a brief overview.
“If the defendant wants to participate, the arraignment is rescheduled and the defendant goes through the initial assessment, including a psycho/social assessment, a risk, need and responsivity assessment, a mental health assessment and means test.”
To qualify for the program, a defendant must also be diagnosed with a moderate to severe substance use disorder and/or a mental illness such as PTSD (Posttraumatic stress disorder).
If the defendant meets the substance use and/or mental health criteria and wants to participate, the defendant signs an Admission Agreement, said Esterle. The defendant will then appear before Judge Werner at a Valor Court hearing, formally pleading guilty and being accepted into the program.
“The three most common offenses these military defendants commit are assault, domestic violence or multiple OVIs,” said Esterle.
During phase one of the program, the participant meets with the ten-member treatment team, which includes the judge, Esterle, the prosecutor, two defense attorneys, two law enforcement liaisons, a designated probation officer, a veterans justice outreach coordinator from the VA and one or more community-based treatment providers to develop an individual plan of action.
Participants are also paired with a volunteer mentor peer, an honorably discharged veteran who provides support and guidance to the individual throughout the program.
The various components of the plan are implemented during phase two, with the participant closely monitored for compliance and required to meet with Judge Werner on a bi-weekly basis.
Prior to each court session, Judge Werner meets with the entire treatment team for client progress updates.
“The mentor will update the court upon the participant’s case being called and they’ll both stand in front of the judge where the judge addresses both mentor and participant,” said Esterle.
Phases three and four focus on community reintegration.
“We are looking for the person to continue to adhere to treatment, seek employment and look for housing,” said Esterle. “The participant will meet with the judge less frequently.”
Once a participant completes the program and graduates, the case is closed.
While there are currently two male participants in the Valor Court, the program can accommodate up to 25 people on an annual basis.
“The Valor Court embodies evidenced-based practice and is therapeutic jurisprudence in its finest form,” said Esterle. “We hope to help as many people as possible.”
“We will focus in the short run on making the process work well and on maximizing positive outcomes for the participants,” said Judge Werner. “In the long run, if we continuously reach out to community partners and keep stakeholders engaged, the momentum should carry this program along well after we are gone. Our deep desire is to establish this program as a lasting benefit for those who served on our behalf and who find themselves in need of this community’s help.”