Since 2008, when the first veterans treatment court opened in New York, judges across the nation have been responding to the needs of veterans struggling to recover from the psychic wounds of war. There are now 120 veterans courts in 35 states, with 100 more in the planning stages, according to the nonprofit Justice for Vets.
The need is driven by numbers: About 1.2 million veterans are arrested every year, according to the U.S. Justice Department. Many are wrestling with addictions and mental illness, conditions that lead to an elevated risk of arrest.
Not everyone endorses the idea of a veterans treatment court. The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, for example, has raised questions about the rights of defendants who must plead guilty as a condition to getting help.
In a recent Bloomburg News story, a retired Connecticut Supreme Court justice said rehabilitating ex-soldiers is the responsibility of political leaders and the military, not the courts.
But they’ve been welcomed in Indiana.
“We support programs that shift the focus of criminal justice from retribution to rehabilitation,” said Andrew Cullen, legislative liaison for the Indiana Public Defender Council.
Members of the Indiana Supreme Court, who oversee the certification process for the state’s problem-solving courts, echo that sentiment.
Justice Steven David, a 28-year military veteran, has said Indiana’s service members have done “more than their fair share for the rest of us,” and that it’s appropriate for the courts to consider the profoundly negative impact of the emotional stresses of war.
That’s what Chief Justice Brent Dickson believes as well. In a statement endorsing the courts, Dickson said judges are using their authority to make sure veterans are getting the help they need and deserve. “The men and women appearing in these veterans courts have served our country honorably, but have found their way into some sort of trouble, ” Dickson said. “ ... The trial court judges handling these cases seek to empower and enable these defendants to participate as valuable, contributing members of the community.”
State News
Numbers drive creation of Indiana's military veterans courts
- State News
-
-
State won’t use free lunch program as poverty indicator
Indiana is changing the way it counts low-income students in public schools because Republican legislators suspect fraud in the federal school-lunch program used to measure poverty.
-
Report: State is both ‘leader and laggard’
A newly released report card on where Indiana ranks nationally in key economic measures shows the state is both “a leader and a laggard” in areas that signal potential for more prosperity.
-
Indiana’s high school grad rate continues upward
Indiana’s reported high school graduation rate continues to improve, moving from 77 percent to more than 88 percent in less than a decade, but there are still significant achievement gaps marked by race and income.
-
Schools chief Ritz on fast learning curve
For many occupants of the Indiana Statehouse, the week after the General Assembly wraps up its final frenzy of work is a quiet one. But not for Glenda Ritz.
-
SLIDESHOW: Governor Otis R. Bowen
Photos from the Indiana State Archives of the late Otis R. Bowen, who served as governor of the state as well as in the Ronald Reagan White House. The Bremen native died Saturday
-
Out of office, Lugar shuns retirement
One year ago, Indiana’s longest serving U.S. senator was rejected by Republican primary voters and forced into an unwelcome retirement from a distinguished political career that spanned 46 years. But at 81, former U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar is hardly in a resting mode.
-
Lugar wary of Syria involvement
Former U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar has been out of office since early January, but he’s still being sought after for his opinion about foreign policy matters he once helped shape.
-
Budget deal includes little funding for criminal code reform
Facing the end-of-session deadline, Indiana legislators moved forward on a bill to overhaul the state’s criminal sentencing laws but left undone the issue of where local communities will get the money to implement it.
-
Legislators closing in on final budget
In his first four months as the chief budget maker in the Indiana House, Republican Rep. Tim Brown hasn’t been surprised by the long hours, multiple demands and intense debate that goes with crafting a $30 billion spending plan.
-
New poll shows voters tepid on Pence tax plan
With just days to go before the deadline for a final budget bill, a new independent poll shows Republican Gov. Mike Pence may not have gotten much mileage for his travels around the state pitching his 10 percent tax cut plan.
- More State News Headlines
-
State won’t use free lunch program as poverty indicator
Officials: Truck Hit Bridge Before Collapse
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
Obama Defends Drone Strikes, With Limits
Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty
Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists
Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers
Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
Boy Scouts Mom Supports Gay Inclusiveness
"Be Ready": NOAA Warns of Busy Hurricane Season
SeaWorld: Penguins Are Coolest Thing in Florida
Obama Renews Call to Close Gitmo
Obama Offers Drone Strike Defense
Raw: Heckler Interrupts Obama on Guantanamo
A Slice of Apple History Up for Grabs
