Veterans Court Gives Coast Guard Veteran Second Chance

Veterans Court holds first session 
Parker Pioneer
By John Gutekunst
Jan 16, 2016

Veterans are put in contact with services available to them through the Veterans Administration and other entities. They are expected to complete rigorous treatment programs in an effort to turn their lives around and become productive citizens.

The La Paz County Veterans Court held its first session Jan. 14 in the Parker Justice Court.

The first case heard was that of (XXXXXX), a Coast Guard veteran placed on probation from a domestic violence charge. La Paz County Attorney Tony Rogers said there are other cases “in the works,” but this was the first where a plea agreement was reached and Munden was sent to Veterans Court as a condition of his probation.

At the start of the session, Judge Jim Putz-Artrup emphasized this is a “treatment” court where the goal is to make veterans who have run afoul of the law whole and productive citizens again.

At the start of the session, (XXXXXX) and his mentor, Robert “Gunny” St. Germain of Quartzite, stood at attention before Putz-Artrup. After he told them to stand “at ease,” Putz-Artrup shook Munden’s hand and thanked him for his service to the nation. He told him to continue his treatment program and to remain in touch with St. Germain.

Putz-Artrup acknowledged and thanked several persons who were involved in creating the court: La Paz County Attorney Tony Rogers, Deputy County Attorney Dan Terrell, Legal Assistant Kim Alvarez, Veterans Administration Coordinator Joan McCarthy, Mentor Trainer and Advisor Bill Risen, Arizona DES Veterans Advocate Milton Hawkins, Mike Thomas of VFW Post 7061, and Court Clerk Tiffany Dyer.
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