CLARK COUNTY — A Floyd County-based court program that serves veterans going through the criminal justice system is widening its reach thanks to partnerships with neighboring counties.
Floyd Co. Superior Court No. 3 Judge Maria Granger oversees the Veterans Court that was founded in 2011, the first of its kind in Indiana. The court works with the Department of Veterans Affairs and is designed to help veterans, including those who served multiple deployments, go through the court process and, if needed, get mental health or substance abuse treatment.
Next week, Granger and Clark County officials, including Clark County Prosecutor Jeremy Mull, will announce more details about how veterans in Clark County can now access the Veterans Court in Floyd County.
"We have been working out how we can make the referrals happen and how to make sure that we have adjusted our district court rules to allow for the sharing of those cases," Granger said of partnering with other counties, including Scott County. "We have been doing that now and we've gotten it to where it's about perfect."
Twelve veterans, most of them under 30 years old, have graduated from the Veterans Court program. Veterans typically complete an 18 to 24-month program that includes drug screening and treatment. The program also connects veterans to resources in the community even after they complete the program.
“Clark County Veterans are trying to deal with left over issues from military service," Mull said in a press release. "Those who get into trouble with the law can choose Veterans Court where they can be accountable for their actions but learn to adapt to life after military service."
Opening up Floyd County's Veterans Court to other counties, Granger said resources can be better utilized while serving more veterans.
"There's limited resources to work with and so that's the primary goal here, to make sure we can maximize what we have and serve the population," Granger said. "Because their needs are unique and were treating them like civilians and we need to be treating them like military because why they are here is not due to their civilian experiences ..."