Pennsylvania prioritizes veterans courts

March 27, 2012

Pennsylvania: Providing specific help for veterans through the judicial system has become a priority in Pennsylvania. Supreme Court Justice Seamus P. McCaffery this week testified to a U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee in favor of providing funds for state veterans courts. During his testimony, McCafferty said, "We have done a lot of good work on this issue in Pennsylvania. Our experience has taught us that veterans' courts can provide significant improvement in the quality of life for servicemen and women who have put their lives on the line for this country."

Currently, the commonwealth has eight veterans courts and five in the works.

Now Blair County is researching whether to designate a court for veterans affairs as well. Last year, 207 out of 3000 people (6.9%) arrested were veterans. In lieu of a court designated to identify with the issues veterans face in the judicial system, the local Vietnam Veterans of America has offered to provide mentors, in addition to the Veterans Affairs hospital. At this point, the county is considering whether issues can be addressed by existing drug and alcohol courts and the forthcoming mental health court.