Front row, left to right, County Judge Bert Cobb, M.D., Hays County Assistant Criminal District Attorney Katie McVaney, Veterans Court Coordinator Catalina Duran, Precinct 1 Commissioner Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe, Hays County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Julie Villalpando, Jail Support Services; Laly Cholak, Hill Country MHDD (Mental Health Developmental Disabilities)Veteran Services; County Veteran Services Office volunteer Alan Cameron; back row, left to right, Hays County Veteran Services Officer Jude Prather, Hays County Court Administrator Rene Garner; Hays County Sheriff Gary Cutler, County Court-at-Law No. 2 and Veterans Court Judge David Glickler, District Attorney Wes Mau, Assistant Veteran Services Officer Miles Nelson and Precinct 4 Commissioner Ray Whisenant with the sign that will be placed above them in view of anyone entering the building.
Hays County Unveils Sign At County Jail For Our Veterans
Hays County officials on Monday joined with an area non-profit organization and volunteers to help publicize the County’s Veterans Court program at one of the program’s critical sites – the Hays County Jail. The group unveiled a sign for the jail lobby that reminds veterans and active military members in the criminal justice system that there is a special court that may be able to help them.
“This sign is just one example of how so many groups work together to develop and maintain a Veterans Court to help those who serve our country,” said Veterans Court Judge David Glickler, who also presides over County Court-at-Law No. 2. “Although our Court has only existed for a year, we’ve already helped change the lives of more than a dozen veterans who applied and were accepted to the program.”
Attending the sign unveiling were representatives from seven County offices – Hays County Veterans Court, County Court-at-Law No. 2, Veteran Services Office, Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney’s Office and Commissioners Court – and Hill Country MHDD, which provides mental health services.
Veterans Court is a specialized treatment court designed to meet the particular needs of veterans whose infractions stem from substance abuse, post traumatic syndrome disorder, traumatic brain injury or other mental illness related to hazardous military service. The goal is to divert eligible veteran-defendants from traditional or other specialty courts to a court specifically crafted for them that can provide tools the veterans need to lead a productive and law-abiding lifestyle.
Any veteran or family member interested in more information on Veterans Court is encouraged to call 512-878-6677 or visit the Hays County website at www.co.hays.tx.us and select Veterans Court from the Courts dropdown. More information about help provided to veterans and their families by the Hays County Veteran Services Office is available at the same website by choosing Veteran Services from the Offices dropdown or calling 512-392-8387.
