Veterans Court May Provide Intervention in Florida

Veterans court would provide intervention for troubled vets in Manatee-Sarasota
Bradenton Herald
BY JAMES A. JONES JR.
March 22, 2015

MANATEE -- A delegation from Bradenton-Sarasota visiting veterans court Monday in Pinellas County can expect to see a court proceeding that is unique, emotional and even uplifting.

Those who have watched Judge Dee Anna Farnell preside at veterans court describe her as passionate in her desire to help troubled vets overwhelmed by psychological and physical wounds suffered while in service to their country.

"She is a very dynamic person. She comes off the bench and stands next to the veteran," said Patrick Diggs, who serves as a justice-outreach coordinator for Bay Pines Veterans Affairs Healthcare System.

"It takes a special type of judge to facilitate the delicate balance between compassion, helping the veteran and public safety," Diggs said.

State Attorney Ed Brodsky of the 12th Judicial Circuit wants to explore launching veterans court in Manatee, Sarasota and DeSoto counties as a way of helping vets who honorably served the United States, and may be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, homelessness and unemployment. Veterans court would be keyed to nonviolent offenders who pose a threat to themselves but not society.
read more here