Veterans Day was Friday. As lawyers, how do we properly thank a veteran for their service? One way is to make it a question during your intake process. When we represent a veteran in any practice area, ask whether they are benefiting from the compensation they may have earned or whether they know of the VA home loan and health care services. Many veterans receive valuable college and vocational school education benefits but too many think that they needed 20 years of service. The veteran’s children may also be entitled to generous college benefits. This Veterans Day and every day is an opportunity to provide valuable information that would be helpful to veterans. In particular, New Jersey has a program for those who may run afoul of criminal laws.

Veterans Diversionary Program, Five Years Later

Justice-involved veterans do not deserve special treatment but they have hard-earned Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits that, when utilized, have proven to be remarkably beneficial in avoiding recidivism. The VA has its detractors but its opportunities for in-patient, out-patient, group and individual behavioral health services are unmatched. Incarcerating veterans who have served in combat is a failure and veteran diversion links benefits to the men and women who need the services. Veteran criminal diversion enhances and saves lives.

Opportunity and Failure: VA Veterans Justice Outreach Liaisons