EFFORT TO EXPAND VETERANS COURT IN WISCONSIN

(LA CROSSE) There's an effort to expand Veterans Court programs throughout Wisconsin.

If a veteran finds him or herself in trouble with the law, and that trouble can be linked to their active duty, there's a chance they could be referred to a Veterans Court. That's a program that links a troubled veteran to a mentor and treatment at the VA.

La Crosse County Veterans Service Officer Jim Gausmann says one vet currently using the system served three combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He says the vet could not relax in civilian life and got into legal trouble. Gausmann says they got the vet into VA treatment programs.

"Our hope is given all the circumstances, given the history of this veteran that after a period of time reporting to the judge in Veterans Court, that his offense won't be expunged, he says. "Maybe the sentence and fines or whatever will be reduced because of the circumstances."

Gausmann says the system is not a free pass for veterans; it's looking for ways to help in the long run.

Currently, only La Crosse County residents can use the La Crosse Veterans Court. But, proposed legislation would allow vets in other counties to use the established Veterans Courts in La Crosse, Rock, Iron, and Brown Counties.

State Representative Jill Billings of La Crosse says there's been tremendous interest from other counties in the program, and she hopes it can become more regional.

"If we can help them in a Veterans Court deal with special issues that may be attached to serving in a war, I think that's a good thing," she says.

Billings says the veteran has to want to take part, the county must approve his or her participation, and the Veterans Court judge has to accept the vet.