A new veterans treatment court has been created in the federal Western District of Kentucky stretching from Louisville to Paducah. The court is for former military service members who commit nonviolent federal crimes.
The Courier-Journal reports veterans in the program may undergo an 18-month treatment for medical issues traced to military service, such as mental illness and substance abuse. Federal prosecutors may reduce or dismiss charges after program completion.
U.S. Attorney John Kuhn says the program allows courts to be more effective in ways other than long-term incarceration. Kuhn says the program is expected to serve about six veterans this year and perhaps twice that number next year.