Veterans court introduced in Cole County

The Missouri National Guard was in Mid-Missouri Wednesday for a big announcement.

The Cole County Presiding Judge and the Cole Co. treatment court announced the veterans court program.

This program will help veterans struggling with substance abuse and psychological problems.

“Research has shown that 400 to 500,000 veterans are going to hit the court system with criminal charges in the next decade. So, we’re going to need attorneys that are capable of handling that and courts capable of understanding that,” said Shawn Lee of the Missouri School of Law.

The goal of the program is to help get veterans back on their feet.