I get to be involved with a very cool project the judges are spearheading. We're calling it the Veterans Court Project. The idea is to identify the veterans coming through the municipal court (which is all ordinance violations, traffic tickets, misdemeanor stuff - not serious crime) and 1) provide pro bono representation through a pool of willing attorneys, but also 2) direct them to services they may be hesitant to seek out on their own. The thing about military people is they're so likely to hunker down and not get some help. The courts are beginning to see vets coming in for say, a parking ticket, then the next time, they're speeding, then the next time they're DUI, then the next time they're assault. We're hoping if we can get them the transition services that they - for whatever reason - didn't take advantage of when they got home that we don't see them again after the traffic violation. The way it will work is that for those who are having transition issues, ptsd etc, their court case gets put on hold so long as they get some help and if they "stick with the program" the case is dismissed. Those without any big issues still get the free legal representation. Anyway, the project involves the judges, the VA, VFW, Mental Health Services, Legal Aid, and the Bar Association. It's just a really cool project and I'm awfully excited to be involved - even if all I do is take notes and set up meetings.