Should there be a Veterans Court in every State? Why or Why not?

SN Jeff Powell — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 13:45:21 -0400

Response by CPL David Salazar made Jul 22 at 2015 1:47 PM

CPL David Salazar — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 13:47:24 -0400

What purpose would this court hold?

Response by Sgt Spencer Sikder made Jul 22 at 2015 1:49 PM

Sgt Spencer Sikder — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 13:49:18 -0400

I believe so. The number of crimes committed by these veterans seems to have a direct correlation with their service experience. Getting caught with coke, marijuana, oxy, etc. because they couldn't get the timely help from VA is one good reason to have a compassionate court.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2015 1:54 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 13:54:15 -0400

Definitely not. I mean there are instances where things like PTSD are the root cause of some crimes. I don't believe that its a significant amount though.

Response by SGT David T. made Jul 22 at 2015 1:55 PM

SGT David T. — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 13:55:06 -0400

No. Veterans are still expected the follow the law simple as that. If they chose to do otherwise then that is a decision they made. There should be no special treatment such as a special court. This is why they can present mitigating factors in a normal courtroom.

Response by SSG Izzy Abbass made Jul 22 at 2015 2:11 PM

SSG Izzy Abbass — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 14:11:27 -0400

Definitely and at the circuit level not just the state. Here are some key facts from the 4th JD in CO.
Result from the evaluation of participants in the 4th JD has yielded the following results3:
• 156 Veterans in the VTC; 111 evaluated
• 56 have graduated from the program (records may be sealed)
• No recidivism by program graduates within 1 year of graduation (National avg. for those entering the judicial system is 68-75%)
• In program recidivism is 14%
• This is the 1st Felony-Level VTC in the Nation

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Jul 22 at 2015 2:35 PM

SGT Ben Keen — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 14:35:42 -0400

I say yes! I've seen the success this program has here in the Pittsburgh area and it can really help Veterans coast-to-coast.

Response by Sgt Joe LaBranche made Jul 22 at 2015 3:44 PM

Sgt Joe LaBranche — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 15:44:16 -0400

There is no negative aspect of having a Veterans court in every state. I prefer to see veterans go through a veterans community support program versus incarceration. Veteran Advocacy programs educate the veteran on how to deal with their Post-Traumatic Stress, how to identify his/her triggers, and taches them coping skills.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Jul 22 at 2015 4:13 PM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 16:13:49 -0400

Given the trials that our combat folks especially have faced, and that PTSD leads to substance abuse, domestic violence and other related crimes when untreated, we definitely need Veteran's courts.

But, what we need more is a DOD that acknowledges and aggressively treats PTSD for Active Duty folks and a VA system that can adequately handle ALL veterans who need healthcare.

Sadly, our country has never met those goals, so bandaids such as these become necessary...

Response by CW2 John Brookins made Jul 22 at 2015 6:56 PM

CW2 John Brookins — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 18:56:27 -0400

No, Veterans are not different than any other citizen when it comes to the law.