Veteran Court

Summary

A new and special court system set up in over 20 jurisdictions around the country now gives veterans a chance at treatment and not simply punishment for their crimes. Like drug courts that began in the 1980s, they’re based on the idea of treating defendants for underlying problems in order to prevent future criminal activity. Veterans in this system agree to plead guilty to their crimes in exchange for mental health counseling, drug addiction treatment and strict monthly court appearances.

While the courts handle some serious felonies it will not take murder, attempted murder, rape, sexual assault or domestic violence. Dan May, a district attorney explains “some of that isn’t even going to be related to PTSD, quite frankly. But that’s just too spectacular to be in this program.”

While the courts have yet to be studied recidivism seems to be low; the first court in Buffalo has had 22 veterans graduate from its program, and, so far, none have committed new crimes.