Palm Beach County Veterans Court opens today

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Palm Beach County Veterans Court held it’s first docket Thursday afternoon.

12 cases were heard.

Palm Beach County Judge Ted Booras, who served in the Marines presided over the hearings which took place at the Criminal Justice Complex/Gun Club Facility.

That’s located in Suburban West Palm Beach.

The court isn't geared to give preferential treatment but instead take advantage of existing V-A programs that could stop future crimes.

Any crime, from serious felonies to misdemeanors can fall into this court.

For some serious crimes, the V-A can only help with pre-release programs.

For Navy veteran Carlos Velez of West Palm Beach, the Palm Beach County veterans court is a chance to get help.

“It’s given you a chance, where as before you're in a fog, a mist, you don't know what's going to happen. Because right now i'm being charged but at least i know there's hope."

Rocco Zito was in veterans court for a drug charge, but hopes to turn his life around.

"I'll be able to do a program which will help me with my drug addiction and any other problems that i might have through the V-A. So i think it's a great opportunity for anybody that gets in trouble that's a vet. At least we get a second chance," said Zito.

The court will point veterans charged with crimes to V-A programs like substance abuse counseling, mental health reviews, even housing options.

It's something Vietnam Veterans like Glyn Joy of the Treasure Coast Leathernecks Motorcycle Club didn't have after his service.

Joy said, "Now, America's trying to take care of it's vets and even the vets that are in trouble, the vets that are having problems with alcohol and drugs. We really need this."

Fellow Vietnam vet and Leathernecks member John Justice agrees.

Both Justice and Glyn are joining other veterans to be mentors to those charged in this court.

"I feel that it's my duty to continue that on and help the men coming back today and get them straight and get them in the right track and get them jobs and feeling like we do now," said Justice.