"We believe it's our obligation to reach out to those veterans who find themselves involved in the criminal justice system."

NOTE from Larry Scott, VA Watchdog dot Org ... This is a trend around the country.  There are now more than a dozen Courts set up just for veterans.

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Philadelphia Opens a Criminal Courtroom Only for Military Veterans

by KYW's John McDevitt

http://www.kyw1060.com/Phila--Opens-a-Criminal-Courtroom-Only-for-Militar/6488172

Philadelphia Veterans' Court is in now session.

A new courtroom has been established in Philadelphia to assist the special needs of a veterans in the criminal justice system.

President judge Marsha Neifield (at lectern in photo) on Wednesday announced the formation of the new court in Philadelphia to address the needs of those who have served in the armed forces:

"We believe it's our obligation to reach out to those veterans who find themselves involved in the criminal justice system."

Judge Seamus McCaffery, who is himself a decorated veteran, was among those supporting the effort:

"The cooperation that we are getting from the defense as well as from prosecutor that understands that the Veterans Administration, who are now working with us, are providing us with services unlike anything we ever had: housing, medical, mental health things that our veterans need. So what I'm here to say is that we are going to make this program grow in Philadelphia."

The goal is, through the network of support services, to reduce the likelihood that the individual will continue to lead a life of crime.

The court will be in session on Wednesday afternoons at the Criminal Justice Center, 13th and Filbert Streets in center city.

(Photo by KYW's John McDevitt)

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