Bruce Elfant
Notebook Archives
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Constable's Notebook - December 2010
"Tell me about your military service," Travis County Judge Michael Denton asks Joe, a 30 year old who
was charged with criminal trespass and assault. Joe told the Judge that he served tours of duty in Iraq
and Afghanistan. His unit was responsible for deploying Navy Seals and retrieving them from their assignments.
Joe was the first Veteran to participate in a dry run of the newly formed Travis County Veteran's
Court that will hear mostly misdemeanor cases involving Veterans who have been diagnosed with Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury or other similar illnesses resulting from their
service in the armed forces.
Veterans Administration officials estimate that as many as 25% of returning combat troops suffer from
some form of mental illness. Many Veterans who are suffering from mental illness struggle to maintain
family relationships or hold a job. Hundreds of thousands of Veterans have lost everything and sleep
under bridges and an equal number are incarcerated in correctional facilities. A study published two
years ago by the Travis County Veterans Intervention Project (VIP) found that an estimated 150 arrested
Veterans are in the Travis County Jail at any given time. Most charges involved anger issues that
include disorderly conduct, assault, domestic violence and self medicating issues such as possession,
DWI, etc. While most Veterans are eligible for treatment services offered by the Veterans Administration
(VA) about two-thirds of them for a variety of reasons have not sought help. The VIP study also found
that each Veteran has been arrested an average of ten times a year.
Last year the VIP initiated a pilot project led by Travis County's Pre-Trial Services Department to
establish a linkage between the Travis County Criminal Justice System and the VA. For certain eligible
Veterans, one condition of being released from jail on personal bond is that they be evaluated by VA
professionals
for diagnosis and recommendations for treatment. Last year state lawmakers passed legislation that
encourages counties to establish Veterans Courts. Travis County has done so and the first formal docket
should occur in early December.
"What do you want to do for a living," asked Judge Denton. I want to be an Austin firefighter but
they won't accept me if I have a criminal record," Joe told the Judge. Veterans who are referred
to Veteran's Court will have the opportunity to get charges dismissed if they fully comply with
court orders that include treatment and attending periodic court compliance reviews. "You risked
your life for your country so we owe you this opportunity to put this behind you and I very much
look forward to seeing you in uniform as an Austin firefighter. Everyone in this courtroom is
pulling for you," Denton said as applause broke out.
Lisa and I wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday season.
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