North Dakota Supreme Court ruling helps get Veteran suffering from PTSD back on his feet

September 28, 2011

North Dakota: The North Dakota Supreme Court handled a very delicate case in the last year that may set a precedent for other courts around the nation when dealing with veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). On September 21, 2010 Brock Savelkoul got in a drunken shooting stand-off with police. This standoff was different from most as Savelkoul was a Purple Heart award winning veteran who had served three tours in Iraq. Neither Savelkoul nor the law enforcement officers who were present that night ended up dead. Savelkoul has not landed in jail either, the Supreme Court saw the acts less as intent to harm others and more as a cry for help from a troubled individual. The Court allowed Savelkoul to plead guilty to reckless driving and avoid three much more severe felony charges if he was able to abide by court mandated rules for the next three years. Savelkoul has abided by the ruling and received counseling, enrolled at North Dakota State University and has gotten back a life he did not have before.

The court realized that there are many veterans who are suffering from PTSD or other mental health conditions as a result of their service who need special consideration when in a court of law. A specialized court to handle veterans cases would be impractical for most states but North Dakota has endeavored to address these needs by forming a special committee to create guidelines for a veteran's court. Many of the proposed educational programs for judges and staff members have been implemented in absence of a formal rule. The Supreme Court is expected to consider the policy changes within the coming months.