Henderson, Nev. – Judge Douglas Hedger and the Henderson Municipal Court announce the seventh graduation ceremony for the A.B.C. Court (Assistance in Breaking the Cycle) program. A.B.C. Court is an alternative sentencing program developed by Judge Hedger to address habitual misdemeanor offenders with co-occurring disorders.

    The ceremony will be held January 18 at 2 p.m. in the Henderson Municipal Court, Department 2. Six defendants will participate in the graduation ceremony. Eleven other participants have graduated from the program since its inception in 2008.

    Judge Hedger developed the A.B.C. Court after seeing the rising trend of repeat offenders appearing in his court. He found that most of the city’s repeat offenders’ misdemeanor crimes were related to long-term drug and alcohol addictions - as well as mental health issues. Many defendants were homeless and jobless because of these factors.

    The A.B.C. Court program focuses on these underlying issues and provides resources to enable successful compliance. “These participants are defendants who are at the end of the line with leniency,” said Judge Hedger. “They are facing up to the maximum six months in jail, or they can enter and complete the A.B.C. Court program. If they complete the program, their lives are changed. If they fail the program, then they receive the maximum jail sentence.”

    The graduates have completed intensive court-ordered counseling, drug testing, court appearances, and a requirement of daily contact with a case manager. Additionally, they are required to obtain job skills and conduct daily job searches until they find employment while living in a mandated sober-living environment.

    Since the program’s inception, all graduates have remained out of the Henderson criminal justice system. By rehabilitating offenders, the program helps them stop their criminal activity, which many have battled for a decade or more.

    “These successes are not only benefitting the individuals who change their lives, the citizens of Henderson also receive huge benefits,” says Hedger. “The streets of Henderson are safer, and the high costs for incarceration are eliminated. It’s a win/win situation.”

    Judge Hedger credits the growing support from community partners for contributing to the program’s success. Establishing a pool of resources enables habitual offenders to stop the revolving door of criminal activity and turn their lives around. These organizations include Freedom House, the Henderson Chamber of Commerce, HopeLink, Touro University Nevada, numerous local businesses and professionals, and the public defenders who serve Henderson in partnership with the city’s Alternative Sentencing Division and City Attorney’s Office Criminal Division.

    For additional information on partnering with the A.B.C. Court program, please contact Henderson Municipal Court Administrator David Hayward at 267-3359.

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About City of Henderson: Incorporated in 1953, the city of Henderson is Nevada’s second largest city with more than 275,000 residents. Henderson is nationally recognized for its stunning parks, trails, master-planned communities and outstanding quality of life. Twice named to MONEY magazine’s list of “Best Places to Live” in America, Henderson is a progressive and vibrant city committed to maintaining premier amenities and services for all who chose to live and work in Henderson…a place to call home.