Page 21 - Lubbock Senior Link Magazine Fall 2019- Online Magazine

however, especially during the to cure their injuries and return to In simple terms, Veteran’s Courts
past twenty years of multiple productive civilian life. judge the cases of Veterans whose
wars and multiple deployments to minor criminal offenses are
combat, return home with some For a number of years now, scientifically linked to PTS, TBI or
form of Post Traumatic Stress scientists and physicians have other mental conditions that resulted
(PTS), sometimes caused by or been able to determine whether a from their military service. Instead
accompanied by Traumatic Brain Veteran’s criminal behavior was of jailing these Veterans, they are
Injury (TBI). Unfortunately, these directly linked to PTS/TBI, and sentenced to treatment programs
“invisible injuries” can lead to anti- treatment programs exist that can by the Veteran’s Court Judge, and,
social or criminal behavior, often effectively treat those injuries. With if they successfully complete the
accompanied by abuse of alcohol that information, many criminal program, they are returned to
or drugs. In Lubbock County, as justice systems across the nation, society. It is not, however, a “get out
in many places, the past response including 37 Texas counties, have of jail free” card. If the Veteran does
was simply to send these Veterans established Veteran’s Treatment not complete the court-supervised
to criminal court and then on to Courts to address these issues and program, a jail sentence is imposed.
jail – expensive for the county and provide Veterans with an option Importantly, these programs work!
unfair to the Veteran. I am pleased other than confinement for minor Statewide, only 3 to 6% of Veterans
to report that today the leaders criminal offenses. Former Assistant who complete these programs ever
of Lubbock’s justice system, in U.S. Attorney and Marine Veteran violate again.
particular Criminal District Attorney Dick Baker and Air Force Veteran
Sunshine Stanek, County Judge and former Professor of Air Science We should all look forward to
Curtis Parrish and District Court at Texas Tech Dave Lewis have led the day – hopefully soon – when
Judge Bill Sowder, are making the effort toward a Veteran’s Court Lubbock County joins the other
real progress toward creating a in Lubbock for several years – and Texas counties who have stopped
Veterans Treatment Court for their dedication and persistence putting Veterans in jail who suffered
Lubbock that will provide these seems likely to pay off for Veterans – a mental injury doing what America
wounded Veterans an opportunity a win-win victory. asked them to do.

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