Press Release
Veterans Court Established for the 14th Judicial Circuit
On September 27, 2018, State Attorney Glenn Hess and Chief Assistant State Attorney Larry Basford joined Chief Circuit Judge Elijah Smiley, Administrative Circuit Judge Michael Overstreet, and Senator George Gainer in announcing the creation of a Veterans Court for the 14th Judicial Circuit.
Veterans Court is a voluntary diversion court program serving military veterans with mental health or substance abuse problems charged with certain misdemeanor or felony crimes. It authorizes a judge to expeditiously and efficiently divert veterans with service-related issues into available veteran treatment programs without compromising the safety of the public.
The purpose of Veterans Court is to reduce recidivism by emphasizing treatment and rehabilitation as an alternative to incarceration for veterans, while also requiring offender accountability and increasing public safety.
For additional information, contact Chief Assistant State Attorney Larry Basford.
[Pictured in photo (back row): County Veterans Services Director John Deegins, Chief Assistant State Attorney Larry Basford, State Attorney Glenn Hess, Assistant Regional Conflict Counsel Russ Wilson, Public Defender Henry Mark Sims; (front row): Senator George Gainer, Chief Circuit Judge Elijah Smiley, and Administrative Circuit Judge Michael Overstreet.]