The Veterans Court progam is always seeking mentors. To become a mentor, you must be honorably discharged from the U.S. armed forces or currently serving.
Information: sdelius@deliuslaw.com
They trooped like soldiers, one by one, up to the lectern, two cuffed hand and foot, to face Superior Court Judge Todd Markle, sitting in a black robe on his bench in a cavernous Fulton County courtroom.
He presides over the county’s new Veterans Court program — which aims to keep veterans facing felony charges for non-violent, usually drug-related offenses — out of jail and on the road to recovery.
One recent Friday, two handcuffed men shuffled into the courtroom and were sent back to jail for breaking rules of the program, which lasts a minimum of 18 months. All the others simply walked to the podium from the gallery.
Occasionally, Markle orders deputies to handcuff a vet on the spot, usually for failing a random drug test or missing a curfew. Those living up to the rules are hardily congratulated.
Once arrested, the court verifies applicants are veterans, then they are screened for drugs, mental health problems like PTSD and given a chance to sign up for the program, during which time they must abide by strict rules, and agree to show up for Veterans Court every two weeks.
Upon graduation, charges are dropped. Some live in the equivalent of halfway houses, but all are rigorously monitored, said Lee Brooks, director of Fulton’s veterans and other accountability courts.
Each vet is assigned a pro bono mentor, who helps him “stay on the right track,” said Cary S. King, a mentor and Vietnam veteran.
Scott Delius, an Afghanistan veteran and also a lawyer, works with King and Superior Court Judge Jackson Bedford, a Vietnam vet, to recruit, screen and train mentors.
“They are like a buddy to the vet,” said King. “The buddy keeps them focused and kicks them in the butt if they mess up, which can mean jail.”
Delius says more mentors are badly needed.
Markle goes out of his way to be friendly to those vets appearing before him who are living up to their agreement. But those who aren’t are rebuked, clapped in handcuffs or tossed out of the program.
“Almost every time I’ll have to send a man to jail,” said Markle. “There is a perception we may be coddling criminals, but we aren’t. Most of the veterans do quite well. This program is a lot cheaper for the taxpayers than sending them to prison.”
Another Vietnam vet mentor, J. Mark Walker of Marietta, is currently working with one of the court’s “star” clients, Anthony Davis, 50, of Columbus, who drives a forklift for a partner company.
“I’ve been doing drugs for 30 years and been through some treatment programs,” he said. “But this one is working, I’ve been sober 203 days, and I’m getting another chance. Mr. Walker is helping me. My whole life has changed, and I’m not going to change back.”
About the Author
