SUPERIOR COURT OF
CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE
4050 Main Street
Riverside, CA 92501

951.777.3163
	
NEWS RELEASE

RIVERSIDE COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT ANNOUNCES FIFTH ANNUAL VETERANS’ COURT GRADUATION - MAY 27, 2016

Release Date: May 25, 2016
Contact: Marita C. Ford, Public Information Officer

RIVERSIDE COUNTY:  The Riverside County Superior Court is pleased to announce that the Riverside Veterans’ Court, presided over by Judge Mark Johnson, will celebrate its fifth graduating class on Friday, May 27, 2016 at 4:00 p.m. in Department 1 of the Historic Courthouse located at 4050 Main Street, Riverside, California.

The Riverside Veterans’ Court is a collaborative effort between the court and other agencies such as the District Attorney, Public Defender, Probation Department, Department of Mental Health and the Veterans’ Administration (VA).  This unique collaboration was implemented in January 2012 and focuses on a treatment-based alternative to incarceration for veterans in the community charged with committing crimes linked to issues such as traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, or mental health issues resulting from his or her service in the U.S. armed forces.  The program is authorized pursuant to Penal Code Section 1170.9, which requires a nexus between the issues that have caused the veteran to intersect with the criminal justice system and their military service.

Each of the graduating veterans in attendance have successfully completed a minimum 18-month intensive treatment program (or a 12-month program for veterans convicted of specified misdemeanors) that includes regular drug and alcohol testing, weekly individual and group counseling, mental health services, self-help meetings, as well as support from veterans and Veterans’ Court partners in the community including Judge Johnson, himself a decorated combat veteran.  Ongoing aftercare services are available to all graduates to ensure continued success.

The featured speaker will be the Mayor of Riverside, William “Rusty” Baily, and Senator Richard Roth, representing the 31st Senatorial District, will be an honored guest.

“This is our largest graduation celebration yet, with over 40 graduates.  The public is invited to attend to celebrate the success of these Riverside County veterans.”, said Riverside County Superior Court Judge Mark Johnson.
 
Members of the press and public are invited to attend the graduation ceremony.

Electronic version available at: www.riverside.courts.ca.gov under Media Center.  

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