Justice For Vets News and Events

Veterans Treatment Court

News and Events

 

The military uses SITREPs, or Situation Reports, to keep personnel apprised of what is occurring in and around military units. Justice for Vets will use this same tool to keep you informed of important developments within the Veterans Treatment Court movement to include news, legislation, media coverage, resources, funding opportunities, special events and more. You can also download the latest SITREP by clicking here.

If you would like to be added to the Justice For Vets distribution list, email Matt Stiner at mstiner@justiceforvets.org.

 

10/27/11

NADCP Hosts Congressional Briefing on Veterans Treatment Courts in conjunction with the U.S. House of Representatives Addiction, Treatment and Recovery Caucus

Actor Matthew Perry joined leaders from the Drug Court and Veterans Treatment Court field to brief Members of Congress and their staff on the critical need for Drug Court and Veterans Treatment Court funding.

9/14/11

Nations Largest Veterans Service Organization Endorses Veterans Treatment Courts

American Legion has passed a resolution in support for Veterans Treatment Courts. Resolution No. 109 passed at the 93rd American Legion National Convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota on September 1st. The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 and has 2.4 million members with 14,000 Posts worldwide. Read more.

 

 

9/1/11

AMVETS Passes Resolution Supporting Veterans Treatment Courts

On September 1, 2011, AMVETS (American Veterans) issued a resolution in support of Veterans Treatment Courts and Justice For Vets. AMVETS is one of the nation’s largest Veterans Service Organizations and offers a wide array of services which can greatly benefit the performance of Veterans Treatment Courts.  Read more.

 

 

7/20/11

General (ret.) Barry McCaffrey Calls For Veterans Treatment Court Expansion

In a rousing speech delivered to over 3,700 Drug Court Professionals during the Closing Ceremony of NADCP's 17th Annual Drug Court Training Conference, General (ret.) Barry McCaffrey called for an increase in Veterans Treatment Courts to ensure returning veterans get the treatment and services they have earned. Watch the speech.

 

 

7/19/11

Expand veterans drug courts, senators told

Actor Martin Sheen pressed Congress on Tuesday to authorize the $88.7 million needed to fund veterans drug treatment courts in 2012, and urged lawmakers to keep expanding both civilian drug courts and those set up specifically to help veterans struggling with substance abuse.

 

6/3/11

A special court tries to keep troubled veterans out of prison

Nearly a fifth of the homeless population in the United States are veterans. Substance abuse is pervasive. Many more have mental-health problems, which often lead to criminal behaviour. Robert Russell, a judge in Buffalo, New York, after noticing an increasing number of veterans on his docket, in 2008 created the first court specialised and adapted to meet the needs of veterans.

 

5/27/11

Keep alive those who made the sacrifice

Philadelphi Veterans Treatment Court Judge Patrick Dugan's powerful OpEd on the importance of observing Memorial Day.

FOR MOST of my life, I was like most people: I knew what Memorial Day stood for, but I didn't really stop to think about what it truly meant. That changed after I went to Iraq in 2003 as a civil-affairs soldier with the Army Reserves. When you serve with people who don't come home, Memorial Day means something different. Read the rest.

 

5/22/11

CNN runs three-part series on one veterans experience upon returning home.

Seven months in Iraq, six years back home: A soldier's war on two fronts

 

3/29/11

White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Gil Kerlikowske visits the Buffalo Veterans Treatment Court, calls it "a winner."

Court designed to help drug-addicted veterans: wivb.com

 

 

3/26/11

General Barry McCaffrey has authored a Letter to the Editor in the Army Times, saying "Veterans treatment courts are ensuring that we leave no veteran behind." Click here

 

 

2/14/11

The Military Times newsweeklies, Army Times, Navy Times, Air Force Times, and Marine Corps Times each ran a comprehensive story on the widespread growth of Veterans Treatment Courts. Click here for the story.

 

 

1/7/11

Veterans Treatment Court graduates its first participant

Johnson was just like many defendants charged with battery and disorderly conduct, except his girlfriend told police he had been having trouble since returning home from Iraq. Nearly 18 months later, Johnson on Thursday became the first graduate from Veterans Treatment Court, the first program of its kind in Wisconsin aimed at helping veterans who commit crimes. Click here for the full story.

 

 

11/11/10

A Special Court for Veterans

Repaying America’s debt to its veterans means giving them the opportunity to succeed in civilian life. Veterans courts are a pragmatic way we can repay that debt and save veterans from additional suffering. Click here for the full OpEd.

 

 

10/28/10

Veterans courts seek to rehabilitate offenders outside jail

Veteran by veteran, Orange County, California, Superior Court Judge Wendy Lindley is dispensing justice with tough talk and a little cheerleading to the former servicemen who've returned from war in Iraq or Afghanistan.

 

 

10/19/10

More Courts Diverting Veterans to Treatment

Unlike traditional treatment courts, veterans courts usually rely on the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide veterans with treatment. According to a National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP) brief, the courts "involve the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs health care networks, the Veterans Benefits Administration, State Departments of Veterans Affairs, volunteer veteran mentors and veterans and veterans family support organizations." Read more.

 

 

9/21/10

Court Program Designed to Help Vets

They served our country proudly, and now some veterans are celebrating another accomplishment. The latest graduates of Veteran's Court were honored on Tuesday, September 21. Click here for the full story.

 

 

9/14/10

Veterans court takes a chance on violent offenders

Many of the jurisdictions that have embraced the veterans court model are in cities with a large veteran population or those near military bases. This year a few states have passed laws calling for veterans courts, and there’s proposed federal legislation to help fund the courts. Click here to read more.

 

 

8/4/10

Madison County Veterans Treatment Court wins national award

The Madison County Veterans Treatment Court, one of the first in the country, has won a prestigious $10,000 national award. The award is one of six Paul H. Chapman awards given out each year by the Foundation for the Improvement of Justice.

"I am very thankful that our court was nominated for this award," said presiding Judge Charles Romani. "I commend all of the participants of this court for their hard work in helping our United States Veterans, who are in trouble, get their lives back on track." The court was nominated by Rep. John Shimkus.

 

7/16/10

Sen. McCaskill unveils St. Louis veterans court

Sen. Claire McCaskill, who helped create the first Drug Court in Missouri, attended an unveiling of the St. Louis Veterans Treatment Court. "Veterans courts are so important," she said. "We have services [through the Veterans Administration] available to you that are in many ways unique." The St. Louis Veterans Treatment Court is the 40th in the country.

 

7/12/10

Hennepin County has Launched the 39th Veterans Treatment Court in the nation and the first in Minnesota.

Click here to download the Hennepin County Veterans Treatment Court brochure.

 

 

7/12/10

VA Simplifies Access to Health Care and Benefits for Veterans with PTSD

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced a critical step forward in providing an easier process for Veterans seeking health care and disability compensation for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), with the publication of a final regulation in the Federal Register.

“This nation has a solemn obligation to the men and women who have honorably served this country and suffer from the often devastating emotional wounds of war,” said Secretary Shinseki.  “This final regulation goes a long way to ensure that Veterans receive the benefits and services they need.”

Read more.

 

 

7/9/10

Uniform Justice

Soldiers who commit certain crimes after returning home with mental health disabilities are treated differently than others who break the same laws and go through traditional courts. Some judges believe a vet’s service to the country merits special legal consideration. Need to Know correspondent Maria Hinojosa went to Texas to find out more.

 

Watch the full episode. See more Need To Know.

 

 

 

6/24/10
Special court in Hennepin County aims to help veterans

St. Paul, Minn. — In a few weeks, a special court designed to help veterans is set to launch in Hennepin County. The court will be the first of its kind in Minnesota, and aims to help troubled veterans stay out of jail. Click for full text.

 

 

 

 

6/21/10

Valley vets get court of their own: Tulare County offers victims of PTSD a second chance.

"Veterans courts follow the drug court model: Instead of jail, the defendant is diverted to mental health treatment. But the judge still can incarcerate defendants who skip therapy, break the law or fail random drug tests." Read more.

 

6/14/10

For her work in helping veterans access resources if they enter the court system, Supreme Court of Ohio Justice Evelyn Lundberg Stratton received the “Veteran Advocate of the Year” award during the Vietnam Veterans of America, Buckeye State Council State Convention.

In accepting the award, Justice Stratton said she was accepting it on behalf of all the veterans that need assistance. “While I’m grateful for the recognition, this effort is all about honoring those who have served our country so admirably,” Justice Stratton said. “Veterans need our help, and I’m committed to seeing that all the necessary resources are at their disposal.”

 

 

 

6/11/10

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed the Veterans and Servicemembers Treatment Court Act. “Many of our brave servicemembers come home suffering from the effects of war, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, traumatic brain injuries, substance abuse and other service-related disabilities,” said Governor Quinn. “This law will help us take better care of our Veterans who need treatment, not jail.”

Click here to learn more about Veterans Treatment Court legislation.

 

 

6/2/10

The National Association of Drug Court Professionals Board of Directors has unanimously voted to approve a resolution in support of Veterans Treatment Courts. Click here to download this and other NADCP resolutions.

 

 

5/18/10

"Don't let the enemy defeat you at home!"

For the first time ever, a group of 28 Medal of Honor recipients have created special public service announcements to urge veterans and active duty military to seek help for post-traumatic stress and other mental health disorders. The "Medal of Honor - Speak Out" campaign has made the public service announcements available for your use.

 

 

Click here to read more about the campaign and to download the PSA's.

 

 

5/13/10

The National Association of Drug Court Professionals 16th Annual Training Conference (June 2-5 Boston, MA) will host over ten hours of training specific to Veterans Treatment Courts and issues related to justice involved veterans.

Click here for information on each session and to register.

 

 

5/12/10

National Public Radio is the latest national news story to highlight Veterans Treatment Courts. The third installment of NPR's Impact of War series brought listeners to Minnesota where a former Marine is finally getting treatment for substance abuse, PTSD and traumatic brain injury after being arrested for drug possession.

Click here for this and other news stories about Veterans Treatment Courts.

 

 

5/11/10

The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy has released the 2010 National Drug Control Strategy. Veterans Treatment Courts are featured on page 54 in a section titled, "Veterans Treatment Courts Continue to Offer a Solution to Veterans in Need." Click here to read more.

 

 

 

5/11/10

Dallas County has launched the nation's thirty-first Veterans Treatment Court and the third in Texas.

 

 

 

4/15/10

Colorado Governor Bill Ritter signed House Bill 1104 into law, making Colorado only the second state to pass legislation authorizing the establishment of statewide Veterans Treatment Courts. Click here to learn more about Veterans Treatment Court legislation.

 

 

 

4/8/10

Speaking at a meeting of the Veterans' Initiative of Tulsa, Attorney General and Gubernatorial candidate Drew Edmondson pledged to establish statewide Veterans Treatment Courts in Oklahoma if elected Governor. "We would save money and lives in the long-run," AG Edmondson said, " Our veterans deserve no less."

 

 

 

4/6/10 

On April 6, 2010, United States Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki, a retired four-star general in the U.S. Army, continued his outstanding support of Veterans Treatment Courts by visiting the Buffalo Veterans Treatment Court.

Click here to read about the visit.