As veterans started returning from service in Iraq and Afghanistan, Judge Karen Khalil noticed they were struggling. She started seeing more and more veterans in trouble with the law in her courtroom. She hard about the concept of a Veterans’ Treatment Court.
Now, the Veteran’s Treatment Court in Redford has become a model for courts around the nation looking to form programs to help rehabilitate veterans who have gotten in trouble with the law.
“Doing this has made all the difference to my staff and my family. To serve our country and give back, it means everything,” said Judge Khalil.
“When I got out i didn’t know what to do with my life,” said Mark Jenzen, a veteran who went through the program after a drunk driving arrest.
He says when he got out of the Navy, he lost his routine, felt lost, and started drinking. He agreed to go through the intense therapy, regular drug and alcohol tests, and meetings that come with veterans’ court. He says because of that, he is alive and there to be a father to his children.
“I am going to be there to watch them to grow up,” said Jenzen.
“It is very emotional,” said Bill Bazzi, a veteran who volunteers as a mentor in the program.
“I have been fortunate to have a great family. They help me go through certain things when I come home,” said Bazzi.
Now he helps provide that support to veterans who need it.
“In the military they have structure,” said Judge Khalil. “When they come home from service and there is no structure and there are battle wounds and there is PTSD and there may be a traumatic brain injury, they need that structure back.”
The judge becomes the new commander. The mentors and fellow veterans in the program they meet with in this room bring back the sense of belonging to a unit.
“And once we get them back on track, they just shine,” said Khalil.
“Veterans’ Court saved my life. It saved the life of so many vets. It puts us on the right track,” said Jenzen.
