Veterans' Court On the Way to Reno

Veterans' Court On the Way
KOLO - Reno,NV,USA

Reno
Posted: 9:24 PM Jul 2, 2009
Last Updated: 4:04 AM Jul 3, 2009
Reporter: Terri Russell


According to the specialty court judge, Veterans court will be run much like drug court.

For those entering drug court for the first time, he has this advice.

“Show up, tell the truth, don't makes excuses,” says Judge Peter Breen.

Judge Breen has been presiding over drug court for about 13-years now.
He says he can see between 60 to 80 defendants in drug court

“A person is put on probation. The judge never sees the defendant again until or unless they have big infraction and they maybe have to go to prison. This court provides immediate and frequent accountability,” says Judge Breen.

While the court does give these defendants another option to work their way through the judicial system, that does not mean it is a cake walk.

Defendants who do not work the program, fail a urine test, or don't show up to court, face time in jail. And that's pretty much how the Veterans Court would be run. Like drug court, there will be rehab options for vets who find themselves on the wrong side of the law. But resources unique to the vet will be available too, like services though the Veterans Administration or the veterans hospital. Judge Breen says it's been his experience most veterans don't identify themselves when in front of him or other judges, and he hopes Veterans Court will change that.

“I think it is great because it’s another alternative other than prison or jail and stuff like that,” says Mark Ross and Veteran.

Terry Dingman, another Veteran says, “I think it's a great idea. They should be doing more for the veterans anyway”

Judge Breen says he expects the court to start up in two to three months.
He's already getting inquiries from other judges and attorneys about Veterans court and defendants who could benefit from such a program.

Judge Breen expects to see 50 Veterans within the first 7 months of Veterans Court operation.

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Veterans Court On the Way