Florida Legislation would allow veterans to get therapy instead of jail

Legislation would allow veterans to get therapy instead of jail

November 12, 2011

TALLAHASSEE— A year ago, Palm Beach County Judge Ted Booras helped open the county's first veterans court, a docket for veterans affected by mental-health and substance-abuse issues related to their military service.

It was supposed to handle a few people, every other week. Now, it's every Thursday. So far, 201 veterans have gone before Booras, who is trying to combine sentencing with treatment programs.

"You may go on probation, but you get all these services," Booras said. "That's going to make a big difference in a lot of people's lives." Each vet returns to court monthly to give Booras, himself a former Marine, a full report.

Some veterans succeed, Booras said, completing treatment programs and getting jobs. Others have had probation violations or drug relapses. Most, he said, "really try."
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