MATT JOYCE Associated Press writer | Posted: Friday, May 2, 2008 12:00 am
CHEYENNE - Gov. Dave Freudenthal announced Thursday that retiring District Judge Gary P. Hartman of Worland will join the governor's office as a special adviser on juvenile justice issues.
Hartman, who has served as judge in Wyoming's 5th Judicial District since 1983, will be charged with evaluating Wyoming's juvenile justice system and working with the departments of Health, Corrections, Family Services and Education to formulate new policies, the governor's office said.
"I've always had an interest in juveniles, and I think this is one way at least to have some input at the state level to try to benefit our judicial system and make some changes in the existing laws that we have," Hartman said by phone from Worland. "I think there's a lot to be done in this area."
Hartman announced in April that he planned to retire from the bench in August. He said he will move to Cheyenne for the new job.
Hartman said an important part of his new job will be helping the state achieve compliance with the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act.
"That's one area I think Wyoming is working on, and I will certainly lend any effort I can to see if we can come into compliance," Hartman said. "It's a big challenge."
The governor's office said Hartman will also take a lead in developing community juvenile service boards, a measure approved by this year by the Wyoming Legislature.
Spokeswoman Cara Eastwood said Freudenthal decided to create the new paid position within his office because of the importance of juvenile justice issues.
"Wyoming has a great deal of work to do on juvenile issues, and I can't think of a better person to focus on this than Judge Hartman," Freudenthal said in a news release.
Ric Paul, former chief of the Gillette Police Department, praised the appointment of Hartman. Paul served 10 years on the State Advisory Council on Juvenile Justice before resigning at the end of last year, citing widespread unwillingness to change the justice system.
He said Hartman has a solid record of commitment to juvenile justice issues and a willingness to make changes to better serve youth offenders.
"If it works and makes headway to improve the system in Wyoming to keep kids out of jail and keep kids in school, and reduce our jail population over time, it's a good move," Paul said.
Hartman helped start a juvenile drug court in 2002 in Big Horn County and initiated Wyoming's first family court, according to the governor's office.
The governor's office said Hartman's job will include working with communities to find ways to keep youth offenders out of institutions.