Veterans court offers redemption chance for former service members
Oct. 16—John Novotnak knew he needed help.
The U.S. Army serviceman whose eight-year career included a tour of duty in Iraq, struggled after he was discharged from the military in 2008. Novotnak, 43, of North Huntingdon was charged in 2022 for the second time with drunken driving when he finally concluded he needed to make a lifestyle change.
That change came after he pleaded guilty last year and was enrolled in Westmoreland County's Veterans Court program for former military members charged with crimes. The diversionary program allows veterans charged with what officials described as minor crimes a chance to avoid jail, receive shorter sentences or have their cases dismissed upon successful completion of the six-to-24-month program.
"This program is about redemption and not punishment," Novotnak said. "I think without this program any kind of punishment or accountability would have felt forced on me. This actually gives me a way to make amends."
Novatnak was one of three men who graduated from the program Tuesday. Since its inception in 2019, 42 veterans have successfully completed the program, according to Westmoreland County's Veterans Court supervisor Sean O'Block.
Pennsylvania's first veterans treatment court opened in Lackawanna County in November 2009. Twenty-five counties in state operate veterans court programs, according to state officials.
There are currently 15 veterans enrolled in Westmoreland County's program that is overseen by Common Pleas Judge Tim Krieger.
Krieger served as lieutenant in the U.S. Navy until his retirement from the military in 1991.
"When you are in the military, everyone has your back. When you get out a lot of folks really miss that. I felt that isolation too. You quickly realize you are your own worst enemy," Krieger said. "It is important to help these folks return to being productive members of society."
Veterans returning to civilian life can experience trauma related to their service that sometimes results in drug and alcohol addiction and criminal behavior. Nico Rogers, 35, of Greensburg said he needed the diversionary program, that includes intensive supervision, counseling and drug and alcohol treatment when necessary, to turn his life around.
Rogers, who served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with tours in Kuwait and Iraq between 2011 and 2019, graduated from veterans court in 2022 following his arrest on drunken driving charges. He has worked as a program mentor for the last two years.
"I got everything I could out of it and it has meant more to me to help out others. There are a lot of people who need help and this program has been a success for a lot of people," Rogers said.
Michael Garofalo, a veteran who served in the Pennsylvania National Guard, attends veterans court as the local representative for the county's public defender's office. Garofalo said the program has become an essential tool to help veterans.
"It's a great help to veterans who need a leg up. Here, they have support around them. A lot of people who come through here have loneliness. This program is a great benefit for people who served their country while also giving them the help they need to navigate through the (criminal justice system) in a way other people don't have," Garofalo said.
