About the Veterans Court
Justice For Vets West Wing helping our veterans...watch and learn from this
public service announcement
To understand just how the Veterans Court functions and how it is helping our veterans,
watch this video.
Veterans Treatment Intervention (VTI) represents a very non-traditional approach to criminal offenders who
have served both during peace and wartime. Rather than focusing only on the crimes they commit and the punishments they
receive, VTI also attempts to solve some of the participants' underlying health, substance abuse and psychosocial problems.
VTI Supervision was created by the Florida Legislature in 2012 with the creation of Florida Statute 848.08(7)(a) and is an
integral part of Palm Beach County Veterans Court.
Palm Beach County Veterans Treatment Court is built upon a unique partnership between the Judiciary, Veterans Administration, West Palm Beach VA Medical Center,
State Attorney, Public Defender, Probation (Felony and Misdemeanor), Clerk and Comptroller, Administrative Office of the Court, Sheriff, and other community
partners from the criminal justice and treatment communities. It is a program that structures the treatment of veterans around the authority and personal
involvement of a single Veterans Treatment Court Judge. Veterans Treatment Court is also dependent upon the creation of a non-adversarial courtroom atmosphere
where a single judge, dedicated court staff, the treatment team, and the Mentors work together toward the common goals of breaking the cycle of substance
abuse and criminal behavior, and addressing mental and physical health issues. An environment with clear and certain rules is created, and each participant's
compliance is within his or her own control.
It has come to light that too many former service members were having a hard time re-entering the civilian population for a number of reasons.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Injury, Disability, Substance Abuse, other Mental Health problems, compounded by the lack of jobs, family and housing
issues, and other social obstacles have taken their toll on Veterans from many wars and conflicts.
Palm Beach County was not the only county facing these issues. Many counties within the United States were facing the same problem. Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War,
Desert Storm, OIF and OEF Veterans alike have "run-ins" with Law Enforcement Officers, many of which have also served their country. With the military mantra
"NO MAN LEFT BEHIND" the idea to carry that time honored tradition into the civilian population was born! The Veterans Administration and the Palm Beach County
Circuit Court came to the conclusion that many of these veterans could be given a "hand up" by being judged and helped by their peers, by fellow veterans.
The BIG difference is the "MENTOR". Each veteran in the program is assigned a mentor, most of the time from the same branch of service. This is the key to the
success of the program. The veteran is not alone. His or her mentor is there for them every step of the way. A strong bond is forged between the Mentor and the
Veteran. Working together, nearly all veterans are able to successfully complete the mandated program and go back to their lives.
In recognizing that these are the men and women whom have placed their lives "in harm's way" to defend the United States of America, we owe them a second chance.
Being referred to a Veterans Court, in most cases, will give them that second chance.
