Legal Digest -Illinois to require veterans courts across the state in 2018
Law News
Today's Legal News Bookmark This Website
Illinois to require veterans courts across the state in 2018
Legal Business | 2017/10/29 23:51
A law passed last year requires every judicial circuit in Illinois to have a veterans treatment court starting Jan. 1.

The courts allow veterans who were honorably discharged to plead guilty to a crime in exchange for a probation sentence, The Chicago Tribune reported. The sentence requires frequent court visits and mental health or substance abuse treatment.

Veterans can also apply to have their records expunged upon completing the sentence. Those who use the courts typically face lower level felonies.

Supporters say the program will help those who risked their lives for their country.

Army veteran Gregory Parker enrolled in the Lake County Veterans Treatment and Assistance Court after his fourth drunken driving arrest resulted in a felony reckless driving charge. Parker graduated from the program in about 18 months. He's quit drinking and continues to go to therapy.

"I finally find myself enjoying things in life I've never enjoyed before," he said.

But some wonder if every community has the resources or the need for a court dedicated to veterans.

Some rural communities may only have a few veterans moving through the court system, said Michelle Rock, executive director of the Illinois Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health and Justice, which provides support for treatment courts statewide.

"We know that it may not be cost-effective for every county in the state to have one," she said.

Before the new law, Kane County officials weighed the need for a veterans court with the availability of resources and decided against offering the court, said Court Administrator Doug Naughton.

The overall court system should be improved, instead of offering one group more options, said Ed Yohnka, spokesman for the ACLU of Illinois.


[PREV] [1] ..[817][818][819][820][821][822][823][824][825].. [2530] [NEXT]
All
Legal News Digest
Law Firm News
Legal Career News
Headline Legal News
Lawyer Blog Updates
Legal Business
Law News
Court Press News
Legal Interview
Legal World News
Press Release
Legal Opinions
Law Firm Marketing
Legal & Political
Law School News
Former Georgia insurance commissione..
Alabama woman who faked kidnapping p..
A Supreme Court ruling in a social m..
Court upholds mandatory prison terms..
Trump wants N.Y. hush money trial to..
Supreme Court restores Trump to ball..
Supreme Court restores Trump to ball..
Supreme Court casts doubt on GOP-led..
Donald Trump appeals $454 million ju..
Dani Alves found guilty of rape, sen..
Ken Paxton petitions to stop Dallas ..
Attorney Jenna Ellis pleads guilty i..
Trump arrives in federal court in Fl..
Why Trump's bid for president is in ..
UN court rejects most of Ukraine’s ..
Hong Kong court orders China's Everg..
Man sentenced to death for arson att..
Top UN court orders Israel to preven..
Court in Thailand acquits protesters..
The top UN court is set to hear Sout..


   Lawyer & Law Firm Links
Oregon DUI Law Attorney
Eugene DUI Lawyer. Criminal Defense Law
www.mjmlawoffice.com
San Francisco Trademark Lawyer
San Francisco Copyright Lawyer
www.onulawfirm.com
New York Adoption Lawyers
New York Foster Care Lawyers
Adoption Pre-Certification
www.lawrsm.com
 
 
© Legal News Digest. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer: The content contained on the web site has been prepared by Legal News Media as a service to the internet community and is not intended to constitute legal advice or a substitute for consultation with a licensed legal professional in a particular case or circumstance. Blog postings and hosted comments are available for general educational purposes only and should not be used to assess a specific legal situation. | Criminal Defense Attorney Web Design by Law Promo