Veterans Day in Court Has Judge Fighting For Accused

Coping with court: Vietnam vets helping younger veterans in trouble 
Daily Herald
Kurt Hanson
September 18, 2015

“All of the members are veterans,” McVey said. “That’s not the case in most other veteran’s courts around the country. In fact it may not be the case in any other veteran’s court around the country, although they do have veterans involved.”

Veterans services coordinator Randy Edwards, second from right, poses for a portrait with veteran mentors Andrew Wilson, Rich Thayer, and Ken Baschke at the Historic County Courthouse in Provo on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2015. GRANT HINDSLEY, Daily Herald

When an individual commits a crime and goes through the court process, they typically face two outcomes — freedom or imprisonment.

For veterans who commit crimes, another option is available that targets treatment instead of incarceration.

Veteran’s Court

The Veteran’s Court in Fourth District Court in Provo has existed since the beginning of the year and has helped in the treatment of many veterans who wound up on the wrong side of the law. But veteran’s court isn’t like most courtrooms. In veteran’s court, mentors who are past veterans become best friends with these men who many would turn away from once they hear of their criminal activity. They applaud them for their victories, an abnormality in the courtroom.

To become eligible for veterans court, defendants must first be determined qualified to be eligible for court by meeting certain conditions. Once they’re accepted, they must take a plea in abeyance for their crime. The veterans then attend court meetings, receive special treatments but more importantly, bond with their brothers in arms.

“There’s a saying, ‘There’s nothing like talking to another veteran,’” said Judge Samuel McVey, who oversees the veteran’s court. Most of the veterans currently in his court are veterans of the more recent conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. McVey is a Marine Corps veteran.
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