Court helps veterans avoid jail, get help

APPLETON - It's a special court system set up just for military veterans. And it began Friday in Outagamie County.

The goal is for minor offenders to get treatment for mental health and substance abuse issues while avoiding jail time. It's not preferential treatment for the offenders, but as military veterans, many of them who have minor run-ins with the law face a unique set of circumstances.  

"We recognize some of their sacrifices and some of their unique experiences and realize there may be an easy fix to making them a productive member of society," said Jon LiDonne of Outagamie County Veterans Services.

LiDonne works with veterans in Outagamie County and knows first hand some of the challenges they face.

"They've had some exposure to sometimes some pretty horrific things that can cause mental health issues," he said.

The veterans going through the special court must approved by the VA. Instead of jail time, offenders will be enrolled in treatment programs for mental health, substance abuse or other programs tailored to help them with their problems.

The veterans' court in Outagamie County is the ninth such program in the state. Brown County started a veterans court system last year. Judge John Des Jardins is one of two Outagamie County judges that will preside over the veterans court.

"If they do commit an appropriate crime for the veterans' court, then we are going to offer them an opportunity to get out of their problems if in fact they follow through with all the treatment and all the court orders," said Des Jardins.

If the veterans don't comply with the treatment programs, they can face additional punishments, including jail time. But Des Jardin says they deserve a second chance having already made great sacrifices for their country.

"The goal is to keep them out of jail. The goal is to make them better people."

Outagamie County is also in the process of creating a mental health court to join the new veterans' court system and the drug court system already in place.