Noteboom The Law Firm

Seminole County Judge Adopts Veterans Court Doctrine

Seminole County Judge John Woodard does not preside over a veterans court. He does, however, adapt the veterans court "ideology" in his courtroom when a veteran is in front of him. According to Judge Woodward, it became clear that was the right thing to do once he realized over the last year how many veterans' crimes were related to both their war experiences and veterans' disabilities.

There has been an unsettling rise in the amount of veterans becoming part of the legal system as they return from deployments. This phenomenon is not limited to Florida, this is happening all over the country, which is why there are currently 72 veterans courts currently in existence.

Many of the veterans who become entangled with the law do so because of substance abuse problems or mental illness directly related to their combat experiences. When such a veteran is in his courtroom, Judge Woodward uses the same principles as veterans courts implement.

Those principles mean a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) representative is in court during the proceedings. Their presence allows them to provide the veteran with any assistance and/or benefits to which they are entitled. The veterans are given mental health assessments while in the jail, and if necessary, the court will provide the veteran with council.

Seminole County does not have a large enough veteran population to warrant a separate court serving solely veterans, although there are veterans courts in Florida. The goal of Judge Woodward's court for veterans, like any other veteran court, is to stress treatment over imprisonment.

If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veterans disability rights firm today - 1-888-234-5758.