"Thomas Jefferson said a democracy is dependent on an informed citizenry. I don't care whether it sounds corny or not. It's the truth." -Jim Lehrer
Carefree Truth
Issue #999, March 14, 2022
Judge Tara Parascondola asked the Mayor and Council to approve the continued participation of the Carefree/Cave Creek Consolidated Court in the East Valley Regional Veterans Court by entering into an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) by approving funds expenditures as needed. The only change from the previous IGA is the length of time. The previous term was for 1 year. It was renewed for 1 year by the agreement of the presiding judges. This IGA would increase the term to 5 years, with another 5 year renewal by mutual agreement.
Mayor Les Peterson explained that this was created because members of the Armed Forces can sometimes return with PTSD and/or injuries, and are on medications. The pain and the psychological detriment can be overwhelming. You might have heard the courts asking if someone is a veteran when they come into court. If the answer is yes, rather than punishment as a deterrent to the continuation of the behavior, the veteran is given the choice to go to the Veterans Court, where treatment is provided in an attempt to help fix the problems. The Mayor said Carefree felt very strongly about participating in this program.
Judge Parascondola noted that this is a totally voluntary program, where the defendant, the prosecutor, and the court would need to agree that it was appropriate under the circumstances. It is a court, however it is very different from
normal criminal court. It is a treatment court. They do not hold trials or hearings. Instead, someone is participating under the agreement that the goal is for them to get additional help and services they need.
They are identified at the arraignment, which is the initial court appearance. They might not have an interest if they want to fight their case and they want their day in court, and they are entitled to do that. But for many who need the extra help, there are great incentives to participate in the Veterans Court because it's not a focus on punitive measures, but on rehabilitation. For the right cases and the right defendants, it's a wonderful opportunity.
The costs have increased because the Tempe Court has hired a permanent coordinator. It costs more but will assist in securing additional grant funding. There has been significant grant funding in the past from the Department of Veterans Affairs, however that grant has expired. The judge noted that while there are costs, she believed that based on their budgetary needs and the number of people who actually participate in the program, it won't have a major financial impact. It's a cost sharing measure and is charged per case.
If no one is referred, there are no charges.
Councilman Vince D'Aliesio asked what the majority of charges these veterans tend to have and are they misdemeanors or are they felony charges. The judge replied that this is a strictly misdemeanor court because it's feeding from the misdemeanor jurisdictions of Paradise Valley, Gilbert, and Tempe. The typical kinds of cases are domestic violence, other kinds of assaults, disorderly conduct, and DUI, which is a huge one. The Veterans Court does not handle traffic matters like criminal speed violations because they aren't the types of violations that call for treatments.
Vice Mayor John Crane called it a great program. Mayor Peterson noted that these are people who suffered some sort of physical or mental impairment serving in the military, and are we prepared to spend a little extra money to help them along in the right direction?
Councilman Stephen Hatcher said he had a family member who was in the Navy and went through this program. It was a huge help to her. He asked how many veterans had come to the Carefree/Cave Creek Consolidated Court in the past year.
Judge Parascondola replied that none had come through in the past year, and said not many do. They have been participating since 2010 and there have been less than 10 individuals during that time, so the cost is very little, but when someone does come through, it gives them a wonderful opportunity to get help. The Court is charged a fixed cost per defendant, with the additional cost of the public defender, to which the defendant is entitled, unless they decide to hire private council, and prosecutor services.
Vice Mayor Crane said that, no matter what the cost, it's an investment in society. The Judge explained that the typical amount of time a defendant spends in the Veterans Court is 12-18 months. It is a lengthy period of time; much longer than the normal criminal processing, because the focus is on treatments and ensuring that they have the access and the ability to participate in all of those programs.
Councilman Mike Johnson said he grew up with a lot of combat vets and he hadn't met one that didn't have PTSD, so they deserve a break. It might cost us some money, but they've given a lot more than most of us have.
The motion to approve passed unanimously. Mayor Peterson thanked the Judge and told her to keep up the great work.
https://vimeo.com/684767771
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Copyrighted
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
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Mayor Les Peterson explained that this was created because members of the Armed Forces can sometimes return with PTSD and/or injuries, and are on medications. The pain and the psychological detriment can be overwhelming. You might have heard the courts asking if someone is a veteran when they come into court. If the answer is yes, rather than punishment as a deterrent to the continuation of the behavior, the veteran is given the choice to go to the Veterans Court, where treatment is provided in an attempt to help fix the problems. The Mayor said Carefree felt very strongly about participating in this program.
Judge Parascondola noted that this is a totally voluntary program, where the defendant, the prosecutor, and the court would need to agree that it was appropriate under the circumstances. It is a court, however it is very different from
normal criminal court. It is a treatment court. They do not hold trials or hearings. Instead, someone is participating under the agreement that the goal is for them to get additional help and services they need.
They are identified at the arraignment, which is the initial court appearance. They might not have an interest if they want to fight their case and they want their day in court, and they are entitled to do that. But for many who need the extra help, there are great incentives to participate in the Veterans Court because it's not a focus on punitive measures, but on rehabilitation. For the right cases and the right defendants, it's a wonderful opportunity.
The costs have increased because the Tempe Court has hired a permanent coordinator. It costs more but will assist in securing additional grant funding. There has been significant grant funding in the past from the Department of Veterans Affairs, however that grant has expired. The judge noted that while there are costs, she believed that based on their budgetary needs and the number of people who actually participate in the program, it won't have a major financial impact. It's a cost sharing measure and is charged per case.
If no one is referred, there are no charges.
Councilman Vince D'Aliesio asked what the majority of charges these veterans tend to have and are they misdemeanors or are they felony charges. The judge replied that this is a strictly misdemeanor court because it's feeding from the misdemeanor jurisdictions of Paradise Valley, Gilbert, and Tempe. The typical kinds of cases are domestic violence, other kinds of assaults, disorderly conduct, and DUI, which is a huge one. The Veterans Court does not handle traffic matters like criminal speed violations because they aren't the types of violations that call for treatments.
Vice Mayor John Crane called it a great program. Mayor Peterson noted that these are people who suffered some sort of physical or mental impairment serving in the military, and are we prepared to spend a little extra money to help them along in the right direction?
Councilman Stephen Hatcher said he had a family member who was in the Navy and went through this program. It was a huge help to her. He asked how many veterans had come to the Carefree/Cave Creek Consolidated Court in the past year.
Judge Parascondola replied that none had come through in the past year, and said not many do. They have been participating since 2010 and there have been less than 10 individuals during that time, so the cost is very little, but when someone does come through, it gives them a wonderful opportunity to get help. The Court is charged a fixed cost per defendant, with the additional cost of the public defender, to which the defendant is entitled, unless they decide to hire private council, and prosecutor services.
Vice Mayor Crane said that, no matter what the cost, it's an investment in society. The Judge explained that the typical amount of time a defendant spends in the Veterans Court is 12-18 months. It is a lengthy period of time; much longer than the normal criminal processing, because the focus is on treatments and ensuring that they have the access and the ability to participate in all of those programs.
Councilman Mike Johnson said he grew up with a lot of combat vets and he hadn't met one that didn't have PTSD, so they deserve a break. It might cost us some money, but they've given a lot more than most of us have.
The motion to approve passed unanimously. Mayor Peterson thanked the Judge and told her to keep up the great work.
https://vimeo.com/684767771
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Copyrighted
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.