There are approximately 23 million veterans living in the United States. Just about 2 million of those vets served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Countless veterans from all conflicts return home to civilian life with various health concerns, including PTSD, and many cannot get a job. Some cannot obtain the benefits they are entitled to, and have problems going back to school to get their degree.
When veterans struggle, and are out of work and not attending classes, there’s more time to get in trouble. More time to feed addictions to drugs and alcohol. This is why the number of veterans being charged with crimes has increased in recent years. In fact, the VA reports that, nationwide, there are over 700,000 vets in the legal system. Clearly, the issue of veteran crime is something that needs our attention.
In Tucson, Arizona, the issue of the veteran crime spike is a priority for the Southern Arizona Veterans Administration Health Care System [SAVAHCS] and the City Court. The city has created a special Veterans Court, which will handle all veteran cases. One of the judges involved, Michael Pollard, is a veteran. He understands that, in general, vets are “reluctant to ask for help.” He believes that this may be why so many fall deep into addiction, and subsequently find themselves on the wrong side of the law.
Judge Pollard, who served in Vietnam, wants to see his fellow veterans get the assistance they need so that they don’t show up in the courtroom again. The Veterans Court will specifically address the needs of veterans who have been arrested for a misdemeanor charge where no victim is involved. The veteran will have the option of appearing in the Veterans Court, and if they opt in, they must follow very strict guidelines and may be forced to enter a rehabilitation or treatment program, depending on their circumstances. Veterans who require additional assistance securing a job or finding a place to live will also be provided with the help they need.
After six months, if the veteran has successfully completed the terms set forth by the Veterans Court, their charges will be dismissed.
The special court program has already had some success stories. Army veteran Richard Bradley successfully completed his program, and has now “graduated.” He says that the assistance he received helped him in a number of ways.
“Most of my problems were not being able to meet deadlines and get to court on time,” he says. He also required support for mental problems, and some financial assistance. Another veteran, John Popaditch, said the program allowed him to get sober. He’s been sober for over six months, and credits the program with giving him another chance to “pick my life up.”
The continued success of the Veterans Court is anticipated by many, including Debra White, a social worker for the VA. She says that the veterans “work really hard” to complete their program, and that the program gives vets an opportunity to take credit for changing their life.
As a veteran, I understand the importance of supporting veterans who return from combat forever changed. Providing support for all veterans, including those who find themselves in a courtroom, awaiting charges for a crime they regret committing, is something that should be made a priority nationwide.
