Clinton Veterans Court Program to Begin Soon
LOCK HAVEN – Clinton County District Attorney Dave Strouse today announced that the Clinton County Court of Common Pleas has plans to institute a new Veterans Court Program in Clinton County, tentatively scheduled to begin July 25. The program was approved by both President Judge Craig P. Miller and Judge Michael F. Salisbury. Judge Salisbury already oversees the Clinton County Treatment Court Program, and will also direct the new Veterans Court.
Strouse said Veterans Courts, also referred to as Veterans Treatment Courts, are gaining momentum nationally in the criminal justice system as an alternative approach to promote public safety and reduce recidivism in a cost-effective way by providing Veterans of the Armed Forces with intensive court supervision and a comprehensive treatment program. He said Veterans Courts are specifically designed to address the growing subset of offenders with a history of military service that have been diagnosed with psychological conditions and/or substance abuse issues.
Clinton County will become the first county in the region to initiate such a program, and the 19th county in Pennsylvania. Strouse said the Clinton County Veterans Court Program will work closely with members of the local veteran community and in close concert with the U.S. Office of Veterans Affairs and the Clinton County Office of Veterans Affairs. Local veterans are being solicited to act as “mentors” for program participants, and will serve as a liaison, advocate and guide to fellow veterans participating in the program.
Veterans Courts have been adapted from the successful treatment court program models in use nationally, as well as in Clinton County, which began its treatment court program in 2014.
