Final details are being put into place for the start-up of a county-wide coordinated Veteran’s Treatment Court in April.
Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Mark Switalski said the mission of the Macomb County Veterans’ Treatment Court is to serve county veterans through a specialized docket focusing on substance abuse and mental health treatment.
In the Macomb model, he said, each participating court will retain its own cases but the courts will share resources county-wide including procedures and protocols, a mentor support system and defense attorney lists.
“Sharing resources allows us to pool our knowledge, maximize our areas of expertise and make the most efficient use of limited resources,” he said. “As a team, we are proud to be able to come together to serve those who have served us so admirably.”
To prepare for the start-up, the Macomb County Bar Association is encouraging area attorneys to attend a seminar entitled “What You Need to Know About the Veterans’ Treatment Court.”
According to an MCBA news release, the event — scheduled for Friday, Feb. 24 from 11: 30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Macomb County Courthouse — is designed to educate attorneys and others about the nuts and bolts of the specialized court.
In addition to Switalski, speakers at the event, to be held in the 5th floor jury room, will include various retired military officers who work with veterans; Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham; 41B District Court Judge Carrie Fuca; and MCBA President Gail Pamukov-Miller.
Switalski has been involved in planning for the court along with fellow Circuit Court Judge Tracey Yokich, Judge Fuca and 41A District Court Judge Stephen Sierawski, representatives from the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office, the sheriff and the MCBA.
Pamukov-Miller has agreed to work with the Bar to develop defense counsel training and coordination of legal services for the court.
John Walus, a Detroit-area area attorney and a veteran, will coordinate the county-wide mentor program.
Veterans interested in becoming mentors should contact Walus by email at jewalus@aol.com.
Those interesting in attending the training program should contact the MCBA at (586) 468-2940.
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