The District Court in Baltimore City is expanding its Veterans Treatment Docket to accommodate more veterans. Starting November 24, 2015, the court will offer two full-day dockets each month instead of the previous two afternoon sessions. This expansion aims to meet the increasing demand for veteran-specific rehabilitation.
The Veterans Treatment Docket provides a supervised, voluntary treatment program for former military service members facing misdemeanors or certain felonies. The focus is on rehabilitation rather than incarceration, akin to drug and mental health courts.
“Since the soft launch in September, we have had 42 veterans scheduled on the Veterans Docket for screenings and assessments,” said Judge Halee F. Weinstein, who presides over the docket. She credited collaboration with partners like the Maryland Office of the Public Defender and the Veterans Administration Maryland Health Care System for making this expansion possible.
Judge John P. Morrissey noted, “When we launched in September we had just one veteran participant... A month later, we have already exceeded our expectations." He praised Judge Weinstein's dedication to Maryland's veterans.
Elizabeth L. Julian from the Office of the Public Defender expressed satisfaction with participating in this initiative: “This docket provides important diversion opportunities without a collateral consequence of a conviction for our clients who have served their country.”
Veterans involved in this program are paired with mentors through the Maryland State Bar Association (MSBA). These mentors are also veterans trained by the University of Baltimore School of Law to help participants utilize various services available at different government levels.
Deb Schubert from MSBA highlighted mentor involvement as crucial: "A key component of the Veterans Treatment docket is the participation of mentors... These volunteers are veterans that serve as a support person or 'battle buddy' to those that are charged with offenses."
The expanded docket will operate from November 24 at 9 a.m., located at Baltimore City's District Court Eastside Building.