The Third Branch
Veterans court announced on Veterans Day
Northeastern Wisconsin military veterans involved in the criminal justice system will now have the opportunity to request enrollment in the Northeast Wisconsin Veterans Treatment Court (NEWVTC), which was officially announced in Brown County on Nov. 11, Veterans Day.
The new court offers eligible veterans in the seven counties that comprise District Eight a supervised and coordinated program of treatment, services, and mentoring designed to help veterans involved in the court system overcome service-related issues.
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Judge Kendall M. Kelley |
Chief Judge Donald R. Zuidmulder |
Brown County Circuit Court Judge Kendall M. Kelley will preside over the new court, which he helped develop with Chief Judge Donald R. Zuidmulder and other justice system stakeholders. Zuidmulder oversees the Brown County Drug Court and used knowledge gained from that experience to help develop the veterans court. Although located in Green Bay, the new court is expected to be available as a resource for all circuit courts in the Eighth Judicial District, Kelley said.
Court partners and stakeholders include: the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, representatives from Brown County's District Attorney's and Public Defender's offices, Law Enforcement and Department of Corrections professionals, the Human Services Department, local Veterans Service Organizations including a representative from the veterans of the Oneida Tribe of Indians, and volunteer veteran mentors.
The veterans court will focus on public safety and improving the success of veterans in their transition into civilian life. It is designed to rely on available resources and community support without requiring new taxpayer dollars. Although the court seeks to assist veterans, participants are held accountable for their conduct before and during the program: the obligation to conform to the court's rules and expectations is stringent and compliance is mandatory.
The Veterans Day launch of the program drew television news coverage from several television stations.
"It's our hope that by getting the proper treatment, it will not only improve their lives and their hopes and so forth in their return, but it's going to make the community a better and safer place," Kelley told WBAY-TV news.
Establishing the veterans court became a priority for Kelley, who served in the U.S. Navy. For the past year, he chaired the NEWVTC Steering Committee chartered to plan and develop the regional court. Steering committee members are former County Executive Tom Hinz; Department of Corrections Field Supervisor Jed Neuman; County Veterans Service Officer Jerry Polus; and Department of Human Services Executive Director Brian Shoup. Retired Navy Captain and veterans' advocate Connie Walker joined the committee this summer.