The Minnesota Judicial Council approved the creation of a Veterans Court Program one year ago that serves the counties of Blue Earth, Brown, Faribault, Jackson, Martin, Nicollet and Watonwan within the Fifth Judicial District. A special ceremony is planned for Fri., July 11 at 12 p.m. to commemorate the first anniversary of the Veterans Court, swear in program mentors and hold a scheduled court session for the program. The public is invited to help celebrate this milestone for the program.
The multi-county program was formulated through a partnership of veteran’s affairs and criminal justice agencies and is designed to handle cases involving defendants with veteran status through a judicially-monitored program of alcohol, drug and/or mental health treatment, rehabilitation services and strict community supervision. Veterans Court has a goal of leaving no veteran behind through supporting veterans and their families as part of a coordinated effort among the veteran services delivery system, community-based services and the court, in addition to promoting overall public safety. The Veterans Court Program recognizes that military veterans face unique challenges following their service and, in turn, need particularized treatment and support that is best provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs and other veteran specific organizations.
The Veterans Court is held at 12 p.m. on the second and fourth Fridays of each month at the Blue Earth County Justice Center in Mankato and is presided by the Honorable Bradley C. Walker, Fifth Judicial District Chief Judge and retired Marine Corps Colonel.