Veterans’ Court Approved

TYLER — For the past two years, work has been underway to create a veterans’ court in Smith County. That work paid off Tuesday when Smith County Commissioners approved the project. Recently a task force appointed for the veterans’ court presented plans for implementation of the court to the commissioners.

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. It is not for serious crimes. Veterans facing misdemeanor or some 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 has been social worker Choya Shanahan who has praise for Smith County’s leadership. She recently 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.”