| COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEDIA ALERT For Immediate Release August 23, 2012 For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 |
(Columbus)—The newest specialty docket in the Franklin County Municipal Court is off to a strong start helping offenders rehabilitate their lives in the most cost effective way possible. The Military and Veteran’s Service Specialty (MAVSS) Docket began earlier this year and has about two dozen former military members participating in the program. Columbus City Councilmember Michelle M. Mills, chair of the Public Safety and Judiciary Committee, joined Municipal Court Judge Scott VanDarKarr to highlight the first six months of the specialty docket.
“This courtroom holds those who have committed a crime accountable for their actions but also gives them a chance to connect with the professional help they need to turn their lives around,” said Councilmember Mills. “These men and women have served their nation and can again become productive members of society.”
Specialty dockets provide concentrated and comprehensive care in a courtroom setting, bringing social and court services together to provide needed programming for non-violent offenders as a cost effective alternative to incarceration. Franklin County currently has specialty dockets that focus on alcohol and drug addiction, prostitution, and defendants with mental health concerns. City Council made a $350,000 General Fund Budget amendment in 2012 to increase Columbus’ contribution to the specialty docket programs to $700,000. During 2009 and 2010, the Municipal Court estimates specialty dockets saved taxpayers more than $1.7-million in jail and other related costs.
“Today the Mayor, Councilmember Mills, and Franklin County Municipal Court announce the creation of Veteran's Court. This court was created to assist the men and women who have served our country. Our goal is to help these veterans re-establish their lives; helping them with housing, jobs, transportation and medical services,” said Judge VanDarKarr.
“The program gives me the same values I had in the service, honor, courage and commitment,” said Zach Bickenhauser, a U.S. Navy Veteran currently enrolled in MAVSS docket. “This program has helped me tremendously, the judge and his staff, the other people in this courtroom, are all here to help me and that just makes me feel great.”
-30-
JOHN IVANIC
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
_____________________________________________________
90 W. Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43215
Direct: 614-645-6798
Cell: 614-701-1411
