Murrieta Judge to Preside Over Veterans Court

Former members of the military convicted of crimes in Riverside County will have an opportunity to receive counseling and other treatment under a new program overseen by a judge who is a veteran himself, it was announced today.

Superior Court Judge Mark Johnson, 52, will preside over the Veterans Court, slated to hold its first hearings on Jan. 5.

According to court officials, the Veterans Court will focus on offering resources to veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, or who have substance abuse issues or psychological problems stemming from their deployment to combat zones or experiences that led to childhood trauma.

In exchange for having their cases heard in the Veterans Court, defendants will have to plead guilty or consent to their probation being reinstated. Felons and misdemeanants are eligible to participate. However, a court spokeswoman told City News Service that each case will be reviewed to determine whether it meets the court's criteria.

Participation would not spare a defendant from serving time in jail or prison if sentencing guidelines call for that, the spokeswoman said.

Johnson said the goal of the court is to keep veterans out of trouble and improve their quality of life.

"The court is dedicated to this important program," the judge said. "There are 23.5 million veterans in this country, including 1.7 million veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Statistics show that 19 percent of veterans suffer from PTSD or major depression and, in 2006, 1.8 million veterans suffered from some form of substance abuse."

Court officials could not immediately confirm the number of cases that might be assigned to the court.

Agencies partnering in the effort include the District Attorney's Office, the Mental Health and Probation departments, the Office of the Public Defender and the U.S. Veterans Administration.

Defendants will have to agree to commit to intensive 12- to 18-month- long treatment programs.

"This is something that is clearly needed for those members of this community who have sacrificed to protect this country," said Presiding Judge Sherill Ellsworth.

Johnson will run the court on Thursday afternoons.

The Murrieta resident was appointed to a judgeship by former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2009. Prior to that time, Johnson was a defense attorney. He is a colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, and in 2004, served with the 1st Calvary Division in Baghdad, Iraq. He received the Bronze Star for actions while on deployment.