NATIONAL MEDIA:
New Minn. Court Helps Vets Accused OF Crimes
The Pentagon estimates that as many as 1 in 5 of the more than 1.6 million veterans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan will suffer from mental health problems. As some of these vets get in trouble with the law and become entwined in the criminal justice system, states are looking for new ways to help.
At the state level, special courts to deal with the problems of veterans are being formed across the nation, modeled on the special courts to deal with drug and mental health issues. Twenty-one veterans courts are in operation, said West Huddleston, the chief executive officer of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals.
Veterans Suspected of Crimes Swap Guilty Pleas for Rehabilitation
There are more than 20 veterans courts around the country. The first was started in Buffalo, New York, two years ago. Like drug courts that began in the 1980s, they're based on the idea of treating defendants for underlying problems in order to prevent future criminal activity.
Yet he was to be given a second chance when he landed in front of Judge Patricia Marks. Marks had just started a special court designed to give veterans who commit nonviolent crimes a second chance.
A Separate Peace: Why veterans deserve special courts
We also know that close supervision and monitoring work better than casting our most vulnerable citizens adrift. Veterans deserve special treatment for their service, and the fact that veterans' courts seem to work as well as they do suggests that politicians needn't justify their existence beyond that fact.
Judges Consider New Factor at Sentencing: Military Service
But momentum for special treatment is growing. Since last year, about 16 counties and cities -- from California's Orange County, to three cities in western New York, have started veterans courts, according to the National Association of Drug Court Professionals.
A courtroom just for veteransWhen the veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan get home some face tremendous challenges, and that can include run-ins with the law. Now a court in Buffalo, New York, the first of its kind, they are getting help.
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Veterans Fight For An Alternative Justice System That Takes Their Trauma Into Account
Each vet who goes through the system will be assigned a mentor, also a veteran, to serve as a sort of sponsor/ parole officer, helping them through their issues and reporting progress and pitfalls back to the judge.
N.Y. court gives veterans chance to straighten out
"It's just a fantastic idea, instead of punishing them, honoring them for their service," said C. West Huddleston, CEO of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals, a non-profit organization started in 1994 to advocate for drug courts. "Unfortunately, the courts are seeing an increase in veterans emerging who have some real specialized needs," he said. "Ultimately we're trying to save people's lives and transform them back to health."
Courts for veterans spreading across U.S.
State court judges are joining with local prosecutors, public defenders, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs officials and local lawyer volunteers to create courts with veterans-only case proceedings, because they have seen a common thread of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse, head injuries and mental illness underlying the veterans' crimes.
A judge in Buffalo, New York, wants to give veterans with legal troubles a second chance instead of time behind bars. Judge Robert Russell talks about the Veterans Treatment Court, the first program of its kind aimed at keeping veterans out of jail.
Bill to Create Veteran Treatment Courts
The SERV Act would authorize funds to go to the Office of National Drug Control Policy for the development and implementation of veteran’s treatment courts or to enhance operational drug courts to serve veterans.
LOCAL MEDIA:
Tulsa, OK: Veterans court serves those who served their country
Some men stood at parade rest as they appeared before Tulsa Special Judge Sarah Day Smith. Others leaned on their crutches or walkers or stood close to military attention.The veterans are from six different wars and range widely in age. They also battle addictions leading to problems with their families, housing and brushes with the law.
Pittsburgh, PA: Allegheny court program for veterans gets first participants
On the eve of Veterans Day, the first defendants appeared in the inaugural session of an Allegheny County court program aimed at keeping veterans out of jail.
Forsythe, GA: Georgia Has First Veterans Court in the Southeast
Georgia is home to 700,000 veterans and 12 military installations. Most of the time soldiers returning from war readjust to civilian life, but others get into trouble. But, there's hope that a new court in Middle Georgia will result in more rehabilitating and less incarcerating.
Tacoma, Washington: More treatment, less jail, for addicted vets
Drug court is one of the best ideas ever to hit Pierce County’s criminal justice system. It’s just been joined by another great idea: veterans drug court.
Rochester, NY: The Rochester Veterans' Court Open for Business
The Rochester Veterans' Court held its first session this afternoon. It's an effort based on the successful Rochester Drug Court, and intended to help veterans who've had a brush with the law stay out of future trouble.
Las Vegas, Nevada: Special Court for Veterans
It has taken a long time, but fortunately special courts are now beginning to open around the country for military veterans whose troubles with the law are possibly linked to service-related drug, alcohol or mental health issues.
Phoenix, Arizona: New Court is sought to Aid Vets Charged With Crimes
"Studies have shown that 30 to 40 percent of the 1.6 million troops who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan will "face serious mental-health injuries" such as PTSD or traumatic brain injury. A lot of what brings veterans into contact with the criminal-justice system is the result of injuries they received while they were serving; their behaviors are so tied to whatever that service-related injury could be," Curran said.
Madison, Wisconsin: New York Judge Urges Special Court for Veterans
Buffalo's Veterans Treatment Court, the first of its kind in the nation, was formed because "something more needed to be done" to help former service members, the judge said. Russell said he conducts an open dialogue with veterans who appear before him, which is different than the adversarial setting in other criminal courtrooms.
Mesa, Arizona: Efforts Underway to Create Veterans' Courts in the Valley
Several groups are working to create a Veterans Court in Maricopa County. It would handle criminal cases involving all soldiers, but primarily it's designed to address the unique needs of combat veterans with post traumatic stress disorder and brain injuries suffered on the battlefield.
If you have a story on Veterans' Treatment Courts or are a member of the media interested in writing about Veterans' treatment Courts, please contact Chris Deutsch at cdeutsch@nadcp.org.