EPHRATA –— Grant County’s Community Court celebrated its first graduate after a year of serving the county with a program designed to divert defendants away from a cycle of jail time, substance use, arrests and more jail time Wednesday afternoon. 

State Rep. Alex Ybarra, R-Quincy, attended the event and said it was an emotional experience and equated changing the court environment to choosing a school that works for a student. While a criminal court may help some, Community Court might be a better fit for others.

“It’s just really touching,” Ybarra said. “I think that, kind of like school, some things work with certain people, and these folks have some issues. Some things work and some things don’t, and if this works for them — great. It’s going to give a different perspective. It’s like going to a different school. If you don’t like Ephrata, then move to Quincy High School and it might work for you because it’s a different school.”

Eddie Navarro is the program’s first graduate and said he came to the court after cycling through the proverbial revolving door of drug use, arrests and court procedures. He’d begun a similar program with the now shut down drug court program the county had started and closed a bit more than a year ago, and transferred to Community Court after the drug court closed. The court’s presiding judge, staff, fellow Community Court participants, law enforcement and members of the community all expressed congratulations and pride for Navarro after hard work to get clean, become employed and move his life in a positive direction. 

Nokey Pando, a former addict who now works to help others recover and get their lives back on track, said he remembered picking Navarro up from jail, making a short stop, and thinking Navarro was going to run away rather than face recovery.

“We stopped at what I thought was a coffee shop by Walmart, and they sell tacos – so no coffee. And (Navarro stepped out for a smoke break),” Pando said. 

The initial instinct Pando and his coworker had was that Navarro was “going to dip” and run off rather than face treatment. 

However, Navarro got back in the car and ended up not only going to treatment, but thriving, multiple court staff said. He followed his treatment plan, got a job at Grant County Animal Outreach, became the president of his recovery house, repaired relationships with family and friends and got his driver’s license after a 10-year gap. 

“I know the Oxford House, he kind of turned that place around and got everybody there held accountable,” said Community Court Specialist Alma Farias. “I heard there was talk about (the recovery house) possibly getting shut down before he got there. So, he’s done so much that not everyone might know about and then (he got his) driver’s license for the first time in 10 years.” 

Farias said Navarro was so dedicated to the program that rather than wait for help from an agency to pay for the license, he paid the fees and got the license with his own money, despite the tight financial position that put him in. He was more concerned about making progress in bettering his life. 

Navarro spoke briefly and thanked the Community Court team – even cracking a joke that he had intended to “dip” when working with Pando, but had forgotten a check in the car. Generally, he said the program had helped him get his life straightened out, provided him with the support he needed and helped him grow as a person.

“Honestly, I just want to thank (Community Court staff),” Navarro said.

The accountability, support, guidance and patience of the program helped Navarro find a job he loves and just generally enjoy life more, he said. Working with dogs and his coworkers at GCAO gives him a reason to keep moving forward and he’s glad to have his life back from where it was spiraling to.

Grant County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Derek Jay Community Court sessions, said he has known Navarro longer than most people in the room and seen the breadth of his story. 

“Unfortunately, I first met Eddie in jail,” Jay said. “This has been a great experience for me, getting to work with Eddy and the other participants. It’s not often in corrections that we get to see people’s successes. Being a part of that has given me that opportunity to see people find that success. Eddie, I’m proud of you and excited to see what your future holds for you. Congratulations!”

District Court Judge Brian Gwinn, who presides over Community Court, took an unusual approach and put his robes on for Wednesday’s proceedings. He said the legal importance of the event called for it and announced that Navarro’s charges would all be dropped and gave Navarro a chance to shred a copy of the court documents that had started his legal journey toward recovery about a year ago – something Navarro did with a wide grin on his face, even with the shredder jammed. 

Navarro said Community Court changed his life for the better. 

“I love my life,” he said. “It’s a thousand times better.” 

R. Hans “Rob” Miller may be reached at editor@columbiabasinherald.com. 

Community Court

For more information on the Grant County Community Court program, call 509-754-2011 Ext. 3162 or visit https://www.grantcountywa.gov/324/District-Court. 

    Judge Brian Gwinn, left, and Lt. Derek Jay, center, watch as Eddie Navarro shreds a copy of the paperwork that documented crimes Navarro had been charged with. After completing the Community Court program which involved getting clean, working toward life goals, learning to make solid decisions and growing as an individual, Gwinn said Navarro has turned into a leader and an example of the good Community Court can accomplish.
  

    Eddie Navarro signs a graduation banner after completing his requirements to graduate. District Court Judge Brian Gwinn, who presides over Community Court, said he hopes Navarro's leadership and example will help to turn the banner black with sharpied signatures in the years to come.