Conn. bill creates criminal docket for vets

Conn. bill creates criminal docket for vets
The Associated Press
Posted : Sunday Feb 22, 2009 17:04:50 EST

HARTFORD, Conn. — Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney wants Connecticut to become the latest state to set up special veterans’ courts to deal with troubled military veterans facing criminal charges.

Looney, D-New Haven, said the state’s court system could refer returning veterans to mental health specialists, similar to how the state’s family and drug courts operate.

“Our troubled veterans may not need to be locked up if their combat experience has let to psychological wounds,” Looney told The Hartford Courant. He has introduced a bill during this year’s legislative session that would create a special criminal docket for military veterans.

Veterans advocates report a rise in the number of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans across the country facing charges such a domestic violence, firearms violations, breach of peace and drunken driving.
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