Kentucky’s Veterans Treatment Courts are designed to assist veterans who transitioned to society and became involved with the criminal justice system because of mental health disorders or substance abuse.
On Monday, the three latest graduates of Christian County’s Veterans Treatment Court Program were honored in front of families, friends, and the judges who oversaw their progress.
Austin Strickland, William Childs, and Richard Rippeon completed the extensive 15 to 18-month program that District Judge Foster Cotthoff says is not for everyone.
click to download audioJudge Cotthoff says the primary objective is to graduate and rise above the issues that landed them in the court to begin with.
click to download audioRichard Rippeon entered Veterans Treatment Court in August of 2020 and, as all graduates did, completed drug testing, attended recovery meetings, made weekly court appearances, and maintained employment. His son Kevin said it was good to finally have his father back.
click to download audioTeresa Childs, the mother of William Childs, was also appreciative of the changes the specialty court made with her son.
click to download audioAustin Strickland was the third graduate who is hoping completion of the court process gives him clarity moving forward.
click to download audioThe Department of Specialty Courts launched Kentucky’s first Veterans Treatment Court in Jefferson County in 2012. It now has programs in Christian, Fayette, and Hardin counties.
Eligible participants volunteer to participate in the program. The Department of Specialty Courts receives federal grants from the Bureau of Justice Assistance.
