Commentary: Stark County Honor Court marks 10th anniversary
Taryn L. Heath and Lisa M. Williams
Special to the Canton Repository
“Thank you for your service to our country, welcome to Honor Court.”
Imagine facing a felony criminal charge: years of potential probation or prison time; struggling with addiction or mental illness; lonely and overwhelmed. Imagine being homeless, hungry, and having nowhere to turn. This describes many Stark County Honor Court participants over the years.
In 2008, seven years into the longest war our nation has endured, court systems sought to develop specialized services for returning service members battling trauma, mental health, substance abuse and reintegration into their civilian lives after service to our country.
Staff Writer
Morning Journal/Stephanie Ujhelyi
East Liverpool Municipal Court Judge Dominic Frank (left) and Columbiana County Assistant Prosecutor Chris Weeda sign paperwork for the courtâs new veterans initiative.
EAST LIVERPOOL The East Liverpool Municipal Court is introducing a new veterans treatment program to its offerings in 2021, as officials recognize that vets have particular needs due to their service in the United States armed forces.
According to Judge Dominic Frank, it will be the first program of its kind in Columbiana County.
With the help of Justice for Vets, Sara Norris, who oversees the court’s probation department, explained that Judge Frank made institution of a veterans court a top priority when he came to the bench in 2020.
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