New court helps veterans steer clear of serious trouble

SALT LAKE CITY — As Mike Suddith stands before Judge John Baxter in court, he believes he's close to putting a drug paraphernalia possession behind him.   

"Not wanting additional legal issues in my life," he said, "it was time to say, 'Enough is enough.'"

Suddith is an Army veteran, standing in Veterans Court, a new program within Salt Lake City Justice Courts. The 6-month-old program aims to help veterans charged with misdemeanor crimes steer clear of more serious trouble.

Nearly 10 percent of the inmates in jails and prisons are veterans. Seventy percent of them are arrested for nonviolent crimes. This program aspires to get them back on track with language and accountability that veterans understand.

"It's meant a great deal to me in my success in recovery," Suddith said

He aims to stay clean and sober, and the misdemeanor actually helped him return to sobriety. So did the judge.

"He has things in common with all of us. Being that he's a veteran, as well," said Suddith.

Suddith is an Army veteran. Baxter is a Marine Corps veteran of the Vietnam War.

Baxter said Veterans Court recognizes the veterans' service and gives them a chance to receive some credit for the war-related problems they encountered when they came home.

"These folks are coming back with problems," the judge said. "I think I've got a personal, moral obligation, I feel very strongly about that, to help them in any way that I can."

Veterans Court gives small-time offenders, like Suddith, a second chance.

"As long as I continue with my accountability, continue meeting the expectations, and continue to be in compliance with what they expect of me," he said.

Veterans Court meets in the Salt Lake Justice Court twice a month. Baxter hopes to keep small cases from growing into felonies that lead to jail or prison time. Without intervention, vets in jail are at significant risk for mental health problems, medical issues, drug and alcohol abuse and re-incarceration.

With nine years on the bench, Baxter demands accountability. He often plays the role of a father or coach. He'll encourage and congratulate, or even scold.

"You're going to tell them, 'This is not the kind of thing I expect out of you, I know you can do this better. I want you to man up. I want you to do this thing the way I know you can."