Working for a Veterans’ Court

TYLER — For the past two years, work has been underway to create a veterans’ court in Smith County. It could soon become a reality. Last week a task force appointed for the veterans’ court presented plans for implementation of the court to the commissioner’s court. The project received unanimous approval.

KETK-TV reports the court is designed as an optional measure for judges to provide help to veterans suffering from substance abuse and mental health problems linked to their time in the service. Veterans facing misdemeanor or felony offense charges, who meet certain guidelines, will have the one-time opportunity to avoid jail time, enter treatment and a mentoring program.

Spearheading the project is social worker Choya Shanahan who has praise for Smith County’s leadership. She told KETK, “Their vision, their foresight, and their diligence in pushing this forward has really been appreciated by all 18,000 veterans in Smith County.”