Fayette County could be home to a special court program designed to help veterans who violate the law get more treatment than jail time.
State Court Judge Jason Thompson appeared before the Board of Commissioners on Feb. 28 to request approval to apply for a $118,169 grant from the Council of Accountability Court Judges to establish a Veterans Treatment Court.
The board approved the measure 5-0, and agreed to provision that $13,129 of the grant funds would come from county DATE funds and participant fees. Thompson said, “Many of our vets need our help,” because their offenses are often related to substance abuse and mental health problems, including post-traumatic stress disorder.
Veterans approved for the program would be matched with mentors and receive treatment and counseling, and would likely receive shorter jail sentences, which would reduce overall county costs. If the grant is approved, the program could start in July.
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