Military ‘diversion’ court launched

ACTIVE DUTY soldiers and veterans who commit misdemeanors in Monterey County and are suffering from mental health problems or other issues related to their military service will now have a chance to resolve their cases in a special court instead of facing jail or other penalties.

On June 7, the Monterey County Superior Court launched what it calls the "military diversion calendar," which allows military defendants charged with relatively minor crimes to undergo counseling and treatment under the direction of the Veterans Administration and Monterey County Behavioral Health.

Congressman Jimmy Panetta, a former Monterey County prosecutor who advocated strongly for the Veterans Treatment Court in Salinas that opened in 2015, lauded the opening of the new military diversion court.

"This will greatly help many men and women who served our nation, put their lives on the line for our freedom, and suffered physical or psychological wounds as a result of their service," Panetta told The Pine Cone.

Some of those eligible for the new court, which focuses on rehabilitation, have suffered brain injuries or sexual trauma, abused drugs or alcohol, or have mental health problems because of their military service.

"Treatment, combined with regular alcohol and drug testing, probation supervision, interface with an assigned volunteer veteran mentor, and regular judicial interaction provide strict accountability while providing a support mechanism to ensure successful completion of all aspects of the military diversion program," according to a news release by Monterey courts.

Court spokeswoman Nona Medina said it's too early to project how much the court will cost taxpayers to operate.

"All of our partner agencies — which also includes Monterey County Probation — and the court are dedicating personnel to this calendar from existing general budgets," Medina told The Pine Cone.

There are already indicators that the new docket is going to be successful. While Medina said Monterey courts estimated it would get about eight to 10 referrals each month, there were more than 25 referrals at the first session last week. The court, at 116 W. Gabilan Street, is held the first Wednesday of the month and is open to the public.

The other agencies involved in the diversion court are the county's Military and Veterans Affairs office and offices of the district attorney and public defender. Volunteer mentors will also support the program.

Monterey County Superior Court Judge Sam Lavorato Jr., who will preside over the military diversion court, said in a statement that the county has an "obligation to explore options for those struggling with issues resulting from their service in the military," and that the new court, along with the Veterans Treatment Court, "are our contributions toward that goal."