19th Judicial Circuit of Alabama Veterans Court

Description

As the veteran population in the United States continues to rise, so too does the need for a greater understanding of the impact of military service on the men and woman who serve. Military service can impact the lives of veterans’ and their families in countless ways. Many returning veterans’ and their families cope with serious issues such as: alcohol and substance abuse, mental illness, homelessness, unemployment, and strained relationships. Oftentimes, these serious issues go unaddressed, and many of these veterans’ end up in our criminal justice system. With the increase of veterans with serious needs, comes the need for the system to develop new innovative ways of working to address these issues and needs.

This is why the 19 th Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office has developed the 19 th Judicial Circuit Veterans’ Mentor Program. This program, with the help of volunteer veteran mentors, link veterans’ with service providers who can help treat the veteran’s needs that have risen from their service. The goal of the mentor program is to provide the veteran with a positive role model who can assist with readjustment into civilian life, treatment programs, the VA system, community resources, and help guide the veteran through challenges such as the Veterans’ Court Program.