VFW, Marines, American Legion Urge Legislature to Pass Justice for Our Veterans Act

Startling Statistics on PTSD Vets, Assault and Need for Treatment & Fair Process

ALBANY, NY (06/08/2014)(readMedia)-- Veterans in the American Legion, Marine Corps League, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and other veteran and mental health organizations, are holding a June 10th lobby day and news conference to urge legislators to pass a bill that helps veterans with mental health ailments lost in the criminal justice system.
WHO: Speakers include: 1) Art Cody, Legal Director, NYSDA Veterans Defense Program. Retired, Navy Captain, Afghanistan veteran (2011-2012), Member of American Legion, Veterans for Foreign Wars and Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America; 2) Jennifer Nunnery, U.S. Army, MP, Combat Vet, Two Tours in Iraq, Combat Action Badge, UB Law Graduate. Working with New York State veterans with PTSD; 3) Captain Stephen Coville, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Police Captain.U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major. Served 29 years. Meritorious Service Medal; Two Bronze Stars; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Iraqi Campaign Medal and Afghanistan Campaign Medal; and 4) John Richter, Policy Director, Mental Health Association in New York State.
WHAT: The Justice for Our Veterans Act, A.7529A (Brindisi) and S.5624A (Griffo) ensures veterans receive treatment and consideration if they suffer from a service-related mental health illness that has some role in their crime. Speakers will describe studies documenting the national mental health calamity for many veterans of the last decade and the need for the bill, as well as startling statistics on PTSD vets, assault and the need for treatment. Under the bill’s court process, veterans receive a medical evaluation to assess if they have a mental health condition, such as PTSD or traumatic brain injury (TBI), need treatment, and if the service-related ailment played a role in the crime. If the veteran completes treatment, the court could reduce or dismiss charges for certain crimes; violent Class A felonies and sex offenses are excluded.
WHEN: Tuesday June 10, 2014 at 02:00PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)
WHERE: LCA Press Room 130
Concourse, LOB
Albany, New York 12248
NOTES: Veterans will be speaking at the news conference; also in attendance will be representatives of statewide veteran groups. Three large color posters will highlight the results of studies on the mental health calamity of veterans in the last decade, and the new court process for veterans under the Justice for Our Veterans Act.