New veterans court to open in Philadelphia
It’s a criminal court, but it will also provide streamlined access to veteran’s benefits.
Caption: Supreme Court Justice Seamus McCafferty
Philadelphia’s newest specialty court is specifically aimed at military veterans.
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The criminal court operates Wednesday afternoon at the Criminal Justice Center, and includes a representative of the Veterans Administration to help provide additional services for the men and women who have served their country.
Supreme Court Justice Seamus McCafferty is the driving force behind the court. The veteran and former Philadelphia Police officer says the court offers special treatment for those who have served.
McCafferty: What we don’t see are the hidden wounds, those hidden wounds, the scars that these people bring back is scary. Our mission here is to work with the VA, to get them out of the system. We don’t want these people to get criminal records, we want them to get help.
The court has a Veterans Administration staffer on hand to help veterans get services from the federal government.
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