BOZEMAN, Mont. – The Bozeman Municipal Courts brought in $1.5 million in 2018, of which $1.2 million went back to the city.
During the State of the Court special presentation at Monday night’s city commission meeting, Bozeman Municipal Court Judge Karl Seel stated that the Bozeman courts handled more than 7,000 cases last year, making it the eighth busiest court in the state. He said, however, unlike many Montana courts, Bozeman’s are not backlogged.
Seel said the one problem the judiciary system faces is the lack of space in the Law & Justice Center, which he believes will be fixed through the new Public Safety Center being by the city.
“We actually believe that increasing those efficiencies will not only result in a better administration of justice,” said Seel, “but also, it will become more efficient in that, and more cost efficient.”
One of the new programs for Bozeman’s court in the last year is the V.E.T.S Treatment court for military veterans. Judge Colleen Herrington said this program isn’t only important for getting vets back on their feet, but it is extremely important to create jobs for the local economy.
“For each dollar that you put into a drug court participant,” said Herrington. “You are looking at a $2-$4 return on investment.”
When Herrington was presenting to the commission for State of the Court, she mentioned the recidivism rate is about 10% for the V.E.T.S Court, while the national average is around 45%. Commissioner Terry Cunningham believes a lot of this has to do with the mentors being veterans as well.
“The community, the veterans community stepping up to take care of their own is just heartening and it is a beautiful thing to see,” said Cunningham. “I thank you for bringing that to this community. It will pay off and is paying off already.”
The first participant of the program will graduate on March 26.
