Problem Solving Courts: Veterans Courts

The first veteran’s court opened in Anchorage, Alaska in 2004 under the direction of District Court Judges Sigurd Murphy and Jack Smith. Four years later, Judge Robert T. Russell presided over the first session of the Buffalo Veterans Treatment Court in Buffalo, New York. (Holbrook & Anderson, 2011, p. 20) These courts were formed to help returning veterans that present issues with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and many other problems. The court acts as the liaison with the criminal justice system and the Veterans Affairs; they receive treatment, supervision, advocacy, and support for veterans struggling with addiction, depression, and other illnesses related to reintegration back into society after combat (Schaffer 2010). Veterans return with several problems due to family separation, the things they have seen and could not deal with as well as the injuries that they may have sustained while in theater. Some of these issues but not limited to substance abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder which brings on related issues such as assaults on family members, martial conflicts and most often suicide (Champion, Hartley, & Rabe, 2012, p.302). Veterans are more likely to commit suicide which possibly increases if they are incarcerated (Wortzel 2009).

Not all veterans returning from war experience issues, however returning to civilian or garrison life away from combat can be a hard adjustment depending on how many times deployed or the traumatic events that the veteran seen. Studies suggest that veterans who suffer from PTSD are more likely to engage in criminal misbehavior than non-veterans that have not suffered from PTSD.

These studies do not show the likelihood of later criminal misconduct due to mili...

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...isting the help. The negative attitudes towards seeking help now escalate into bigger issues to include possible criminal mischief. It is clearly evident that these courts are here to stay. I truly believe that any veteran, who voluntarily risks their lives to serve and protect their country, definitely deserves to receive assistance.

Works Cited

Champion, D. J., Hartley, R. D., & Rabe, G. A. (2012). Criminal Courts: Structure, process, and issues (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.

Holbrook, J., & Anderson, S. Veterans Courts: Early Outcomes and Key Indicators for Success. 11-25. Retrieved April 15, 2014, from http://ssrn.com/abstract=1912655

McMichael, W. H. (2011, November 1). The Battle on the Home Front: Special Courts turn to vets to help other vets. . Retrieved April 15, 2014, from http://www.abajournal.com/magazine/article