Kingman has become the second city in Mohave County, after Lake Havasu, to set up a Veterans Court.

On Dec. 9, Judge Jeffrey Singer presided over the first session of Kingman’s Veterans Court. Two veterans appeared to sign papers agreeing to participate in the Veterans Court program. Veterans must successfully complete the requirements, which usually include counseling, community service and drug and alcohol testing, before they can graduate. Depending on how well they progress, the program may take from six months to two years to complete. Upon graduating, their charges are dismissed.

Among guests appearing in support of the new Veterans Court were Kingman Mayor Richard Anderson and council members Janee Miles and Stuart Yocum, and City Manager John Dougherty, as well as Pat Farrell, President of the Jerry Ambrose Veterans Council of Mohave County. Also in attendance from Lake Havasu City were Mayor Mark Nexsen, City Manager Charlie Cassens, Judge Mitchell Kalauli of the Lake Havasu Veterans Court, Lake Havasu Court Supervisor Jennifer Harrold, Lake Havasu Veterans Court Clerk Colene Lowery, and Lake Havasu Veterans Court Mentor Coordinator Joan McDermott.

VFW Post 3516 of Kingman presented the Colors at this first session.

Kingman City Magistrate Jeffrey Singer.
Judy Lacey/RiverScene

Judge Singer explained how Veterans Courts operate, and how important community involvement is to the success of Veterans Courts. Many county and city service organizations have already pledged their support, and Kingman has also created a Veterans Resource Team based on Lake Havasu’s model. Singer praised Lake Havasu’s Veterans Court for its success, and thanked them for offering advice and training and including Kingman in their staffing meetings. Singer presented a plaque to Judge Kalauli in appreciation of Lake Havasu’s assistance in helping Kingman get their Veterans Court off to a good start.

“We’re excited to get this program up and running here in Kingman,” Singer said, “and we’re grateful to be partnering with Lake Havasu in our efforts to make this a regional Veterans Court for Mohave County.”

The Kingman Veterans Court will conduct its sessions at 1:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month in Courtroom 1 of the Kingman Municipal Court, 219 North Fourth Street in Kingman.

Feature photo:
Kingman VFW Post 3516 presented the Colors. In background: Lake Havasu City Manager Charlie Cassens, Kingman City Councilman Stuart Yocum, and Lake Havasu Veterans Court Judge Mitchell Kalauli. Judy Lacey/RiverScene