Legal News

New veterans court to launch in Los Angeles

By Richard Binder

Los Angeles County is launching a pilot program today establishing a special court for veterans who have committed nonviolent felonies resulting from the emotional toll of their military service.

All military personnel will be eligible, particularly those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injuries and other mental conditions. Depending on the nature of their crimes, veterans could be referred to treatment within the Veterans Affairs system, which operates outpatient and clinical care facilities in Long Beach, Lancaster and West Los Angeles. There, they will be supervised for a set period of time.

The first court of this kind was established in Buffalo, N.Y., in 2008.  Officials say so far none of the veterans who completed that program have committed new crimes.

The veterans court in California will start with a maximum of 50 cases at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in downtown Los Angeles.

Full story here.

Full post as published by Legal Pad | LA on September 13, 2010 (boomark / email).