Speakers in the Eleazer Courtroom, Gulfport, FL: Front - Carol Henderson, Director NCSTL. Back - left to right: Professor Allen, Judge Russell, Professor Morgan.
Speakers in California - not shown: Donna Jacobs, LTC Rabb, Dr. Weaver.
Moderator: Rebecca C. Morgan, Boston Asset Management, Faculty Chair in Elder Law, Director, LL.M. in Elder Law Stetson University College of Law. Bio
Speakers in the Eleazer Courtroom, Gulfport, FL
The Honorable Robert Russell, presiding judge of the Veterans Court, Buffalo, NY. Bio PowerPoint
Michael P. Allen, Professor of Law, Stetson University College of Law; Veterans Advocate. Bio
Speakers in Menlo Park, CA
Christopher M. Weaver, Ph.D., National Center for PTSD, Veterans Administration. Bio PowerPoint
Donna Jacobs, California Statewide Veterans Collaborative and founder of Not This Time Vets. Bio
Lt. Colonel David Rabb, U.S. Army Western Regional Medical Command VA Military Liaison. Bio PowerPoint
Emerging Issues: Returning Veterans, PTSD and Other Injuries, and Their Impact on the Criminal Justice System, was presented on October 31 in the Eleazer Courtroom. This interactive panel presentation was sponsored by the NCSTL as part of the 2008 Guest Lecture Series brought to Stetson University College of Law annually. The presentation was well attended by the Stetson and local communities.
“PTSD and Other Injuries” is an important, high-interest topic which unfortunately represents an ever-growing national problem. Defendant veterans who experience physical and psychological injuries often find themselves facing criminal charges when they react inappropriately in civilian life. Professionals from healthcare, law, military and other government agencies, as well as citizen groups, are beginning to work together to help identify and respond to combat vets returning to civilian life. The aim is to assist the vets in their transition to civilian life and avoid criminal behavior. The presentation addressed the most commonly experienced physical and psychological injuries, available recovery resources, the judicial response to the veterans, and military resources for reserve and active duty personnel and dependents.
The panel represented each of the groups described and participated from the Eleazer Courtroom in Gulfport and from the Palo Alto Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital in California via videoconference. Professor Rebecca Morgan, moderator, and Professor Michael Allen, Veterans Advocate, participated from the Eleazer with the Honorable Judge Robert Russell, presiding judge of the Veterans Court in Buffalo, NY. Dr. Christopher Weaver of the National Center for PTSD at the VA; Donna Jacobs, California Statewide Veterans Collaborative and founder of Not This Time Vets; and Lt. Colonel David Rabb, U.S. Army Western Regional Medical Command VA Military Liaison, participated from Palo Alto.
