Chief Justice Lorie Skjerven Gildea has been a leading advocate for the funding and expansion of Minnesota's system of Veterans Courts.
These courts are intended to keep non-violent veterans out of jail or prison and away from criminal records by altering the usual path of criminal prosecutions. The hearings are geared to get veterans access to substance treatment, physical and mental care, VA assistance where available, and supervision by counsellors, health professionals, lawyers, law enforcement, social workers.
It is an effort to assist wounded warriors who have run into the legal system when they returned with physical and mental injuries and addictions.
You can read about these efforts here, and here, and here, and here, and here.
One good example of how the Veterans Court system developed under Chief Justice Lorie Skjerven Gildea came with a "Stand Down" test in Rochester when hundreds of veterans had their minor legal charges handled over several days. See here. The results sparked steady growth for the system. See here.
Military veterans with active misdemeanor, petty misdemeanor, or non-felony warrants outstanding can have their cases heard in a special court proceeding on Oct. 4, 2011. Volunteer defense attorneys will be available to assist veterans. The hearings will take place at the Mayo Civic Center, Rochester, MN.
The special court hearings are part of Minnesota Stand Down, an effort to help veterans with legal matters, housing, taxes, employment, driver’s licenses, benefits, and other issues. A free lunch will also be served to the veterans. The event is sponsored by the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV) and the Third Judicial District.
“The Third Judicial District is pleased to participate with MACV in providing comprehensive services to veterans that will aid them in resolving social and legal issues in one place,” said Third Judicial District Chief Judge Robert Benson. “It is designed to help veterans with their re-adjustment to civilian life.”
Judges and volunteers will be available from 1 pm. to 4 p.m. to allow veterans to resolve cases pending from anywhere in the state of Minnesota. “It is an efficient way to move the cases and to help veterans get the benefits they've earned, as well as remove obstacles to employment and housing,” said Third Judicial District Judge Robert Birnbaum, one of the judges participating in the event.
The special court hearings are part of Minnesota Stand Down, an effort to help veterans with legal matters, housing, taxes, employment, driver’s licenses, benefits, and other issues. A free lunch will also be served to the veterans. The event is sponsored by the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV) and the Third Judicial District.
“The Third Judicial District is pleased to participate with MACV in providing comprehensive services to veterans that will aid them in resolving social and legal issues in one place,” said Third Judicial District Chief Judge Robert Benson. “It is designed to help veterans with their re-adjustment to civilian life.”
Judges and volunteers will be available from 1 pm. to 4 p.m. to allow veterans to resolve cases pending from anywhere in the state of Minnesota. “It is an efficient way to move the cases and to help veterans get the benefits they've earned, as well as remove obstacles to employment and housing,” said Third Judicial District Judge Robert Birnbaum, one of the judges participating in the event.
As of 2017, full-scale Veterans Courts have been authorized and funded in 13 counties. See here.
Veterans Treatment Courts
5th Judicial District: Blue Earth-Brown-Faribault-Jackson-Martin-Nicollet-Watonwan Counties (2013)Anoka County (2016)
Carver County (2014)
Clay-Becker Counties (2014)
Hennepin County (2010)
Ramsey County (2014)
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