News

Valor Court, a specialized docket of the Akron Municipal Court, recently earned a $6,900 grant through Operation Legal Help Ohio - Ohio Military/Veterans Legal Assistance.

Grant dollars will go toward transportation needs of those served through Valor Court. Bus passes and gas cards will be purchased and given to defendants in Valor Court through 2018.

Judge Jerry Larson presides over Valor Court and its mission is “to assist veterans with access to programs, treatment and interaction with mentors in a collaborative initiative to enhance chances of success.” The program was the first of its kind in the state of Ohio and will mark its fifth anniversary in November of this year.

"This grant will assist the veteran population in our area and ensure defendants can get to court and to treatment appointments in a safe way," said Judge Larson. “We are always grateful for financial assistance and know the generosity will be appreciated by our defendants as well.”

Defendants with nonviolent charges within the Akron Municipal Court system may be eligible for admission to this program.

Funding for the grant was awarded to Operation Legal Help Ohio by the office of Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine. After seizing assets from a sham veteran’s charity, Attorney General DeWine distributed the funds to several Ohio veterans’ organizations, including funding to Operation Legal Help Ohio to support Ohio’s veterans’ courts, funding transportation costs for veterans traveling to required appointments.

Valor Court sessions are held in the courtroom of Judge Larson, Room 943 in the Harold K. Stubbs Justice Center, on every other Tuesday at 10:00 a.m.

Judge Jerry Larson