Judge Andrew Santoli (left) listens as a graduate of the veterans’ specialized docket in the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court speaks at the ceremony.

The Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court recently celebrated with a graduation ceremony for participants in its specialized docket for justice-involved veterans.

The court program aims to rehabilitate veterans who are involved in the justice system and face a unique set of needs due to the lasting impacts of their military service. The program is open to veterans charged with any felony.

The specialized docket has operated in the court for just over 10 years, with Judge Andrew Santoli currently leading its efforts.

With three graduations held each year, the court recently celebrated nine graduates. Program participants are justice-involved veterans selected based on clinical eligibility – those suffering from mental health or substance use disorders – and legal eligibility, which requires a probationable offense. The court works with the local Veterans’ Affairs office to identify all justice-involved veterans to select those who are eligible.

“My sincere hope is to provide critical support and accountability to as many veterans as possible,” said Judge Santoli. “We’re hopeful to get them stabilized and back out to be beneficial members of our community.”

Spanning from mental health to addiction services, the court’s specialized docket works to reduce recidivism among the vulnerable veteran population through rehabilitation. By diverting justice-involved veterans to the specialized docket, judges and treatment teams assist participants through promoting stability and reintegration into the community.

“These are individuals who decided early on to fight for us by serving in the military,” said Judge Santoli. “We should be devoting our resources to helping them when they struggle. We owe it to them.”