The development of a Veteran’s Court for Deschutes County has been in the works for several months. I first heard of it at the Veteran’s Council where they were looking for veterans to mentor veterans currently in the legal system for misdemeanors.
Low estimates say that 20% of the veterans returning from Iraq or Afghanistan exhibit PTSD symptoms or other mental disorders. Individuals with these issues have a higher chance of running afoul of the law. According to the Bulletin by having a Veteran’s Court, “The person who committed the crime could have an opportunity to go through a treatment program and would receive help tracking down resources available for veterans.”
An article at the Slate website said the first veteran’s court started January 2008 in Buffalo, New York. It went on to say, “One hundred twenty veterans are enrolled in the Buffalo program, and 90 percent of graduates have successfully completed the program. The recidivism rate is zero.”
An article at the Department of Veterans Affairs website states that in November, Klamath County opened the first Veteran’s Court in Oregon. The article went on to say, “The close judicial supervision of the veteran’s compliance and progress brings a high level of accountability to the process. By assuring veteran participation in rated VA and VBA services and benefits, the VTC sees to recognize the veteran’s service to our country while administering justice for the veteran and the community.”
More information about Veteran’s Courts can be found here.
If you have an interest with helping the Deschutes County program email, flyusaf@gmail.com
A National Public Radio piece on a Minnesota Veteran’s Court can be found here. The audio runs for 5 minutes 50 seconds.
The Central Oregon Veteran 