Ventura County Superior Court Accommodates Combat Veterans Charged With Crimes
The Ventura County Superior Court is now part of a growing trend among California courts that offer a specialized program for combat veterans facing criminal charges.
Launching its Veteran Intervention Program in time for the Veteran’s Day holiday, the Ventura court hopes to honor those individuals who served in the military but suffered debilitating psychological damage that ultimately put them in trouble with the law.
In the past 10 years, nearly 100,000 combat veterans nation-wide have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries. Moreover, at least 45,000 suffer from post-traumatic stress syndrome as a result of their strenuous combat experience.
The program offers veterans the option of participating in intensive treatment programs and frequent court appearances in lieu of a jail sentence. Qualifying veterans must have been honorably discharged with suspected psychological, drug, or alcohol problems that stem from their service.
As a collaborative effort between the court, the district attorney and public defender’s office, the probation and behavioral health departments, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the program also limits participation to veteran defendants charged in largely nonviolent crimes. However, the program will accept veterans accused of domestic violence.
“When young men and women go out and do the country’s bidding…we owe a response to the needs they bring back with them,” said Judge Colleen T. White, who presides over the new court.
The valor and self-sacrifice demonstrated by the service men and women who enter hostile combat zones for their country deserve to be treated with a level of respect and compassion – even by the court system. If you are a combat veteran facing criminal charges, our attorneys at Wallin & Klarich have been in practice for over 40 years and can help you protect your rights and ensure that you receive the appropriate treatment in your matter. Call us today at 888-749-0034 or visit us online at www.wklaw.com. We will be there for you when you call.
