LEAVING NO VETERAN BEHIND: POLICIES AND PERSPECTIVES ON COMBAT TRAUMA, VETERANS COURTS, AND THE REHABILITATIVE APPROACH TO CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR
Mark McCormick-Goodhart
ABSTRACT
As of June 2012, at least 104 jurisdictions spanning 28 states have created specialized criminal courts for veterans. Known as Veterans Treatment Courts (VTCs), these courts focus on rehabilitation, rather than incarceration, to address the root causes of criminal behavior. Although other articles have described the emergence of VTCs, few, if any, have focused on the jurisdictional differences between them. This Comment addresses the basic treatment process and jurisdictional differences among VTCs in the United States, with a particular focus on VTCs in Pennsylvania. This Comment also discusses trends in the VTC movement, the effectiveness of VTCs to date, perspectives from both critics and advocates, and the need for greater awareness efforts regarding the unique purposes of these courts.
preferred citation: Mark McCormick-Goodhart, Leaving No Veteran Behind: Policies and Perspectives on Combat Trauma, Veterans Courts, and the Rehabilitative Approach to Criminal Behavior, 117 Penn St. L. Rev. 895 (2013).