What do you think of this new veterans court program set to begin in PA ?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 23:39:18 -0400

http://www.stripes.com/news/veterans/veterans-court-program-to-begin-in-a-pa-county-1.301193#.vafbsklad4i.mailto

Response by SSgt Gregory Guina made Sep 3 at 2014 11:54 PM

SSgt Gregory Guina — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 23:54:48 -0400

Honestly I disagree with it. There are plenty of others with problems that need help and aren't getting special treatment in the courts why should a veteran with PTSD be treated better than someone that was abused as a kid and has PTSD?

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2014 12:04 AM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 00:04:32 -0400

I see a great propensity for this to be abused. If it is known that there is a cop-out available for some of lessor crimes, there are definitely people out there who would take advantage of it. This is interesting and I do not know how I feel about it.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Sep 4 at 2014 7:20 AM

MSG Wade Huffman — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 07:20:52 -0400

The county I work in has recently started a Veterans Treatment Court and it seems to be working pretty well. There are very strict guidelines on what cases can be referred to this court and once accepted by the court there are very strict guidelines that the veteran must adhere to during the process (which can last in excess of 2 years). Should the veteran fail to participate in the programs directed by the court (and administered by the VA in most cases) then the vet will be sentenced as if they were not a participant.
There is very little possibility of abusing this system due to the many built in safeguards and required follow ups (in most cases the vet needs to reappear before the judge monthly, more often in some cases, to review progress).
As to others (non veterans) not having the same opportunity, this is not true. Drug abuse treatment courts and mental health treatment courts were in existence long before veterans treatment courts and this was actually started as a result of the successes of those other special docket courts.
Will it work in all cases? No. I'm sure it won't. But it has worked and is working in many cases (veteran and non veteran).
I wasn't very sure of it when the proposal started here, but now that I have seen it in action, I am a supporter.

Response by Cpl George Goodwin made Sep 4 at 2014 5:52 PM

Cpl George Goodwin — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 17:52:03 -0400

I did not sign up for any special treatment nor do I expect any now. As military we should hold ourselves to higher standards. Military history should be looked at in the trial phase but no special courts. A combat vet who just came back and assaulted the guy who grabbed him by the shoulder is different than those who were in the rear 10 years ago.