$350K Grant to Fund Miami Veterans Court

According to the Ripon Advance, Miami-Dade County received a federal $350,000 grant that will be used to establish a special Miami veterans court.

“This court will provide rehabilitative services to veterans who’ve been charged with non-violent crimes and suffer from mental health disorders or substance abuse problems,” said U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo.

The three-year U.S. Department of Justice grant to the Miami-Dade Circuit Court will direct veterans facing nonviolent crime charges toward rehabilitation rather than sending them through the traditional criminal justice system. The Miami-Dade Military Affairs Board will provide an additional $75,000 to establish the new Miami veterans court.

Palm Beach County created the first veterans special treatment court in Florida in 2010 and Broward County established one in 2012, according to the Daily Business Review.

In Broward County, veterans are required to have probation supervision, counseling and peer mentoring, drug and alcohol testing, medication monitoring and social services for 12 or 18 months.

The special veterans courts help treat veterans for post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse and other mental health issues in order to keep them out of jail.

By allowing veterans to participate in this court, they will be given the opportunity to return to civilian life while still being under the observation of the court. It’s our duty to provide our veterans with the help they need, and I am proud to support them,” said Curbelo.