GLENDALE LAUNCHES VETERANS' COURT
Focus on Helping Veterans
Resolve Underlying Issues that May Lead to Being Charged
The City of Glendale is pleased to announce the launch of the first Veteran’s Court in the West Valley. This new specialty court will serve former U.S. military service men and women who have been charged with misdemeanor violations and will offer more opportunities to resolve underlying issues that may have led them to being charged. The Court creates and supervises treatment plans with the goal of reducing recidivism by those that served our military.
“Veteran’s Courts have been achieving success and reducing recidivism for years, nationwide and throughout Arizona,” says Glendale City Court Presiding Judge Nicholas DiPiazza. “We are pleased to have the support of our Mayor and Council and we’re excited to establish the Glendale Veteran’s Court. We look forward to better serving our veterans and our community and to expanding to a West Valley Regional Veteran’s Court in the near future.”
Bringing a Veteran’s Court to the West Valley has been a long-time goal of Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers. “When I served in the Arizona State House of Representatives and chaired the Military and Veteran’s Affairs Committee, I learned of Veteran’s Courts in other parts of the county,” says Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers. “After becoming the Mayor of Glendale, I worked hard for years to get this project started. I am so proud that our new Presiding Judge understands the importance of Veteran’s Court and is finally making this dream happen.”
The City of Glendale Veterans’ Court will match needed services to military members in conjunction with the Veteran’s Administration. Participation is voluntary and includes regular court appearances before a judge. Treatment may include weekly individual and group counseling, drug and alcohol testing, mental health treatment, medical treatment and regular attendance at recovery support/self-help meetings. Successful completion and graduation from the program may result in a reduction in sentence or in some cases, a dismissal of the charges. The new court begins operation October 1 and comes with no additional costs to taxpayers. The hope is the Glendale Veteran’s Court will eventually grow into a West-Valley regional court similar to one successfully operating the East Valley.
