A veterans court is a specialized court. Unlike a city court, for example, it is not held in a separate court building with its own judge, prosecutor, and staff. Rather, a veterans court is a specialized program that makes use of existing district judges, court staff, and district attorneys.
CHAPTER 33-B. VETERANS COURT PROGRAM
R.S. 13 §5362. Purpose
The Legislature of Louisiana recognizes that there is a critical need for criminal justice system programs to assist veterans in order to reduce the incidence of alcohol and drug use, alcohol and drug addiction, and crimes committed by veterans as a result of alcohol and drug use and alcohol and drug addiction. There is also a need for programs to assist veterans with mental health issues, including mental health diagnoses and undiagnosed mental illnesses. Moreover, many veterans suffer from co-occurring disorders of substance abuse and mental illness. These problems can cause veterans to have involvement with the criminal justice system. Therefore, it is the intent of the Legislature of Louisiana to create specialized court programs in the various districts of this state called "Veterans Court programs" to assist veterans in overcoming these issues, as they impact veterans, the criminal justice system, and society at large. The goal of these programs will be to reduce recidivism among veterans and to provide those who have served this country with the assistance that they need and deserve.
R.S. 13 §5363. Goals
The goals of the Veterans Court program divisions created under this Chapter include the following:
(1) To reduce drug abuse and alcoholism and dependency among offenders.
(2) To reduce the alcohol and drug-related workload of the courts.
(3) To reduce criminal recidivism.
(4) To diagnose undiagnosed mental health problems and to assist in the care and treatment of diagnosed mental health illnesses.
(5) To increase the personal, familial, and societal accountability of offenders.
(6) To reduce prison overcrowding.
(7) To provide employment and job training for veterans in partnership with the Louisiana Workforce Commission, any technical college or vocational school, or other institute of higher learning.
(8) To provide housing assistance for homeless veterans in partnership with state, local, and federal housing authorities and nonprofit organizations.
(9) To provide benefits counseling from parish service officers in partnership with the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs.
