Veterans' Court at 54-B

Shown in photo: Judge David Jordon, who will soon be retiring from 54-B District Court.

Earlier this month, I began my second year as a veteran mentor in the Matt Brundage Ingham County Veterans Treatment Court, here in the City of East Lansing. Veterans Treatment Court results from the collaborative effort of the U.S. Veterans Administration (VA), Ingham County, 54-B District Court, the Honorable David L. Jordon, and many local veterans and veterans' organizations. My mentee is an Iraq veteran, a paratrooper, and one of those guys we ground pounders called an . . . well, never mind.

As my mentee and I recently sat quietly in the courtroom awaiting our appearance before Judge Jordon and listening to other cases, I couldn't help but reflect back over the past twelve months and the success stories I've been privileged to observe. Veterans Court was established to assist those men and women who, after having voluntarily given up part of their lives to serve our country, need to overcome adjustment challenges upon their return to civilian life. The veterans who appear at this court are fellow citizens who, unfortunately, upon their return, ran afoul of society's expectations. Some of the infractions are more egregious than others.

The court inovlves an eighteen month program and each veteran, along with his or her assigned mentor, makes monthly appearances and reports on progress in achieving the court's mandated assignments. The court meets twice a month and veterans progress through three phases. All mentees are on probation during the eighteen month duration with the payoff of successful completion ranging from a reduced sentence to a commuted one.

That consideration is clearly a motivator, but the biggest payoff from my perspective comes from all of the resources provided by the court--resources that range from psychological and physical testing, support groups, employment and educational assistance, and direct support from the VA. The VA has a representtive present at each session of the court. This is a court clearly dedicated to seeing that each veteran overcomes his or her adjustment challenges and finds a way back into again becoming a productive member of our society.

On the eve of Judge Jordon's retirement from 54-B District Court, I would be most remiss if I didn't take a moment to thank his honor for his tireless commitment to our community and its Veterans, and for bringing this wonderful service to mid-Michigan. Each success at Veterans Court is a living testimony of the program's importance and total team effort. Every team has a quarterback, and the Matt Brundage Ingham County Veterans Treatment Court couldn't have a finer quarterback than Judge Jordon.

For the record, I am a Vietnam era, non-combat veteran, and honored to have been selected as a mentor. For more on Judge Jordan's retirement, see this video report.