The Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida is forming a new division within the circuit. Veterans Court will provide rehabilitative services to veterans struggling with treatable behavioral, mental health and substance abuse issues who come into the court system by way of another division, including drug court, mental health, and domestic violence.

The first planning session was held December 1 in the central courthouse; invitees included members of the Broward county commission, the Veterans’ Administration, the Broward Bar Association, and various other community resources.

Though only in the planning stages now, the Seventeenth Circuit hopes to establish a defined program, ready to implement, in the coming months. “We believe this is an invaluable service to offer the men in women in our community that served us and now need our help,” said Chief Judge Peter Weinstein.