Veterans Court holds first session

The La Paz County Veterans Court held its first session Jan. 14 in the Parker Justice Court. The first case heard was that of David Munden, a Coast Guard veteran placed on probation from a domestic violence charge. La Paz County Attorney Tony Rogers said there are other cases “in the works,” but this was the first where a plea agreement was reached and Munden was sent to Veterans Court as a condition of his probation.

At the start of the session, Judge Jim Putz-Artrup emphasized this is a “treatment” court where the goal is to make veterans who have run afoul of the law whole and productive citizens again.

At the start of the session, Munden and his mentor, Robert “Gunny” St. Germain of Quartzite, stood at attention before Putz-Artrup. After he told them to stand “at ease,” Putz-Artrup shook Munden’s hand and thanked him for his service to the nation. He told him to continue his treatment program and to remain in touch with St. Germain.