Question: Discuss origin of Veteran Courts: Discuss the reasoning for the Veteran Courts’ conception

V​‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍​eterans Treatment Courts have been introduced in the US to address the number of war veterans with mental health problems entering the criminal justice system (see https://justiceforvets.org/what-is-a-veterans-treatment-court/). Prepare a 2000 word commentary, that describes the intended goal(s) and operation of the Veterans Treatment Courts, critiques the use of this form of punishment from the perspectives covered in this course, and explain why/why not Veterans Treatment Courts should be introduced in Australia. Suggested structure: Slide #3 – Overview of Topic - Explanation of Veteran Courts Veteran courts are available solely to war veterans to provide them with a productive alternative from traditional criminal courts. Veteran courts adopt key mannerisms from the military, along with including many programs designed and created to assist in integrating veterans back into society. - Discuss origin of Veteran Courts The origins of veteran courts dates to the early 1990’s where they were a concept of judge Robert Russell (DeAngelis, 2012). Judge Russell’s brainchild was first implemented in 2008 where the world was introduced to the first veterans court (DeAngelis, 2012). - Discuss the reasoning for the Veteran Courts’ conception The reasoning behind the creation of veteran courts was to create an atmosphere to aid veterans who find themselves in the criminal justice system. Veterans have a higher chance of suffering from mental illnesses and the comforting setup of veteran courts, along with accompanying programs, allow for the proper treatment of veterans within the criminal justice system. Slide #4 – Aims and Functions of a Veteran Court - Provide the aims and goals of a Veteran Court The goals of veteran courts is to successfully provide treatment to all veterans who find themselves stuck in a harmful and continuous loop within the processes of traditional criminal courts. The overarching aim of these veteran treatment courts is to give veterans the tools and support they need to allow them a successful integration back into civilian life surrounded by their fr​‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍​iends and loved ones. - Discuss the workings of a Veteran Court To provide a comfortable setting for those going before a judge, defendants respond with a militaristic “Yes, ma’am/sir” or “No, ma’am/sir”. This gives them the structure and secureness obtained from their time in the military (Justice For Vets, 2022). The defendants’ time in court is also productive and does not end with a determined period of incarceration. The result of a veteran court case sees the defendant connected with mentors and programs designed to assist them with their struggles. - Discuss differences between traditional and Veteran Courts These productive results for defendants of veteran courts demonstrates a major difference from the results of a traditional court case. Whilst the veteran court is designed to provide successful integration into society, traditional courts focus on punishment as a tool for correcting behaviour (Justice For Vets, 2022). Slide #5 & #6 – Principles of Punishment - Identify and explain which principle(s) of punishment best justify the use of Veteran Courts o Provide research to support decision Incarceration Slide #7 & #8 – Sociological Theories - Identify and explain which social theories underpin the established principles of punishment and use of Veteran Courts o Provide research to support Slide #9 – Strengths and Benefits of Using Veteran Courts - Identify strengths using empirical research - Use further research to support the discovered strengths - Discuss who benefits from the strengths and why - Utilise sociological theories to help explain Slide #10 – Limitations and Negative Consequences of Veteran Courts - Identify limitations using empirical research - Use further research to support the discovered limitations - Discuss who is affected most from the limitations and why - Utilise sociological theories to help explain Slide #11 – Recommendations for Australia - Based on research included in assessment recommend why/ why not Veteran Courts should be introduced in Australia - Clearly state reasons for decision and must be i​‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍​nformed from the presented research