Congressman Pat Meehan Wants Pa.'s Veterans' Courts To Go Nation-Wide

By Brad Segall

NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) - Congress is considering legislation sponsored by Congressman Pat Meehan that would make federal grants available to state and local governments to establish Veterans Treatment Courts. Montgomery County's court has been up and running for nearly a year.

There are nineteen active participants in Montgomery County's treatment court and overall court personnel say it's going really well. Soldiers who see combat overseas many times get caught up in the criminal justice system after they return home because of addictions or mental health issues. The court gives primarily non-violent offenders an opportunity to get back on their feet through treatment programs. Coordinator Stephanie Landes says the vets lean on each other for support.

"They relate better to one another. They seem to have similar experiences and just the camaraderie of being in the military can then be applied to their recovery."

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Seamus McCaffery testified before Congress Thursday in support of the measure. A decorated Marine vet, he says our men and women in uniform have supported us and now it's our turn to support them.