Fayette County Embracing Specialty Courts

Fayette County is one of three area counties ready to join Effingham County in offering specialty courts. 

The courts are designed to punish wrongdoers, but also to give them treatment in hopes they can become productive members of society and gain the healing they need.

Clay County and Jasper County are also ready to offer the specialty courts. In Fayette County, Monday was the first day to refer defendants to either Veterans Court or Mental Health Court. Drug Court is another specialty court and has been offered in Effingham County for several years. Fayette County State's Attorney Josh Morrison said he has been able to refer eligible defendants to Drug Court in Effingham County and will continue that as an option until it's offered in his county.

Veterans Court and Mental Health Court are also already offered in Effingham County.

As to the other specialty courts, Morrison is excited that treatment will be available for veterans. He said he has a couple of defendants pending for Veterans Court and said a variety of treatment options are available, depending upon what the veteran is battling. Veterans Court is especially meaningful to Morrison since he saw his father battle the effects of PTSD after his military service in World War II. He said, "If there's a vet (defendant) out there, I'm gonna help them unless they hurt someone."

Morrison also has one defendant waiting for Mental Health Court for which such an approach is "clearly appropriate."

The effective date for the specialty courts in Fayette County is October 13.