Courts in Ohio can aid veterans, high court justice said

SANDUSKY — Ohio courts can serve as a bridge to connect veterans with mental health services and other support programs, an Ohio Supreme Court justice said.Justice Sharon Kennedy has devoted much of her time to raising awareness about Veterans Treatment Courts in Ohio, which supervise veterans on probation and help them obtain services.So far, 21 counties in Ohio have such courts. Other counties are setting them up or have established memorandums of understanding, sending veterans in the court system over to neighboring counties, Kennedy explained Wednesday while appearing on Between the Lines Live, the Register's public affairs show.Her interview was broadcast live on the Register's Facebook site and is available for demand viewing at sanduskyregister.com/btl.The U.S. has sent many soldiers to combat areas. Many of them come back with brain injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder and other injuries and problems, Kennedy said.As a result, many end up in the court system, charged with crimes such as OVI, assault and domestic violence.The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers many treatment programs that can help such veterans when they are on probation. There are other veterans programs such as the local veterans service commissions offered by counties that also offer help to veterans. Veterans Treatment Courts can help veterans access such programs, Kennedy said."I believe we have an obligation to get them into the treatment that they need as a result of service for our country," she said.Kennedy said she has met with judges in Erie, Huron and Ottawa counties to educate them about Veterans Treatment Courts.Kennedy has been on the Ohio Supreme Court for five years; she'll come up for re-election in 2020.Her legal background is varied.Before she joined the Ohio Supreme Court, she was a Common Pleas judge in Butler County. She also has worked as an attorney in private practice, as a city of Hamilton Police Department patrol officer and as special counsel for Attorney General Betty Montgomery.Reach reporter Tom Jackson at jackson@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @jacksontom.Ohio Supreme Court Justice Sharon Kennedy appears on Between the Lines Wednesday afternoon to talk about her work with veterans.