Veterans Court Opens In Redford Township
REDFORD TWP. (WWJ) - Veterans now have their own court in Redford Township. 17th District Court Chief Judge Karen Khalil will preside over the new Veterans court.
"I think that this is something that's important for us to focus on as a country, and for all citizens to be aware of that these veterans are facing, and for us to honor their service by making sure that they are getting the benefits they're entitle to to assist them in getting back to a normal life," Judge Karen Khalil told reporters on Friday.
Khalil spoke a little bit about what interested her in the job.
"I believe that this is my way of giving back to the community and the country that I love," she said. "I have heard so very troubling stories in my court room over the last several years involving veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan war, and I believe that if I can give back in some way, it's my honor to do so."
She said veterans with special needs often get lost in the system.
"We're not going to be more lenient with them ... The idea is to more closely guide them through the probation process, and get them connected with the benefits that they're entitled to," Khali said.
The court opens on Monday. Khalil said similar courts are opening across the country because of an increase in the number of veterans who are ending up homeless or incarcerated.
