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“I am holding my head up,” a graduate of the Doña Ana County Veterans Treatment Court said May 23, as the court celebrated its fifth anniversary with a gala in courtroom No. 1 of the Third Judicial District Courthouse in Las Cruces. “This program really works,” he said.
The court provides substance abuse treatment, mental and behavioral health counseling, case management and other services “to divert justice-involved veterans and active service members from the traditional criminal justice system,” according to the court.
“This is such an important program,” said Four Paws and a Wakeup founder and owner Andrea Joseph, whose Las Cruces nonprofit trains service dogs who are donated to veterans.
Other celebration attendees included Las Cruces City Manager Ifo Pili, County Commissioners Susana Chaparro and Diana Murillo (who is also the mayor of Anthony, New Mexico), Mesilla Mayor Nora Barraza, Third Judicial District Presiding Judge Conrad Perea, Third Judicial District Attorney Gerald Byers and City of Las Cruces Municipal Judge II Anthony F. Filosa.
“I couldn’t do this work without the support of the community,” said Third Judicial District Judge James T. Martin, who is the veterans court judge. “Treatment is a key component” of the court’s success, Martin said.
The court is successful in “restoring individuals to meaningful, productive lives,” said attorney Rory Rand, one of the court’s founders. “It breaks the cycle of drugs and crime.”
“I see veterans who are struggling. I see veterans who are making progress,” said Veterans Justice Outreach Coordinator Montevis Price, who works in the DA’s office. “A program like this allows someone who has struggled to get back on track. This program works.”
The court’s alumni program is central to the success of veterans served by the court, said United States Army Master Sergeant (retired) Roy Maldonado, who is the court’s mentor coordinator. Through that program, he said, the court “continues to be a part of their lives.”
“I came to the program homeless and I am leaving it a homeowner,” said the court’s honorary graduate. “Above all, I am sober.”
The court, she said, “opened my eyes. For once, I had purpose and direction.”
The court, she said, helped her to answer questions such as “What is it that I value? (and) What is it that makes me happy.”
“The support was there,” she said.
