Deputy County Attorney Quick Honored for Role in Veterans Court

GREAT FALLS – Deputy Cascade County Attorney Jennifer Quick was honored today for her work on the Cascade County Veterans Court.  Quick was presented with a certificate of appreciation from the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana at the February 2nd Veterans Court graduation by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeff Starnes and Joe Cik, acting on behalf of Montana U.S. Attorney Mike Cotter.

The Cascade County Veterans Court was established in 2013.  In March of 2015, because of a collaborative agreement between Montana’s Eighth Judicial District Court, the Montana Federal District Court, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Veterans Court began accepting qualifying veterans charged with federal crimes.  The Veterans Court serves as an alternative to prison for qualifying veterans.  Participants are required to engage in intensive multi-stage professional counseling and treatment for substance abuse, mental health, disability, and other issues including but not limited to those related to their military service.  They are also required to abide by strict conditions, follow rigorous treatment plans, and attend scheduled hearings before a judge.

Quick served as the founding prosecutor of the Cascade County Veterans Court from 2013 to 2015.  “Jennifer is personally and professionally passionate about veterans’ issues,” said Judge Greg Pinski of the Eighth Judicial District, who oversees the Veterans Court.  “She went above and beyond by engaging in outreach efforts to expand enrollment and educate other Montana prosecutors on the benefits of the Veterans Court.  Without her support and hard work, the Cascade County Veterans Court would not exist.”

“Jennifer Quick and Judge Pinski are to be commended for their instrumental roles as catalysts for the Cascade County Veteran’s Court, and we look forward to a continuing state and federal collaboration,” said Montana U.S. Attorney Mike Cotter.  “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is grateful for the opportunity to participate in the forum they have created to give veterans charged with federal crimes an opportunity to obtain structured treatment that will allow them to return to their lives, families, and communities in Montana.”

Quick’s recognition followed a graduation ceremony honoring three new Veterans Court graduates.  Since its inception in 2013, twenty-four veterans have participated in the Cascade County Veterans Court.  Today’s graduates bring the number of program graduates to eleven.  Twelve participants, including one federal probationer, are currently enrolled in the program.