<p>Now an employee in the court where he was once a defendant, Timothy Wynn is grateful for every opportunity he has been given because of his successful completion of a veterans treatment court program.</p>
<p>Wynn, a certified peer specialist in the <a href="https://www.courts.phila.gov/veteranscourt/mentorprogram.asp">Philadelphia Veterans Treatment court</a>, is a former US Marine Corps sergeant who had multiple brushes with the law and suffered from drug addiction prior to his time in veterans treatment court. Wynn spoke as a graduate of the program during a half-day seminar held at the law school<em>. </em></p>
<p>The event, <em>Veterans Courts in Pennsylvania: Ensuring Success for the Veteran</em>, included three panel discussions with experts. It educated the legal community about the needs of veterans and the services provided by veterans treatment courts.</p>
<p>Veterans treatment court assists veterans charged with crimes, who are struggling with addiction, and mental illness. The program requires participants to make regular court appearances and attend drug treatment sessions.</p>
<p>The keynote speaker at the event, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melissa_Fitzgerald">Melissa Fitzgerald</a>, is director of the <a href="https://advancejustice.org/">Advancing Justice Initiative</a>, and a nationally-known advocate for veterans courts. Fitzgerald was also an actress on the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_West_Wing">West Wing</a> television series. In her remarks, she expressed the pressing need for funding and services to meet the needs of veterans in the court system.</p>
<p>&ldquo;We are in the moment where we need to double down on programs that have been proven to work,&rdquo; said Fitzgerald. &ldquo;Veterans fight for our freedom every day and now it is time for us to fight for theirs.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The Advancing Justice Initiative was launched by <a href="https://justiceforvets.org/about-us/">Justice for Vets</a>, which has helped to establish more than 200 veterans treatment courts and trained more than 3,000 court staff. Justice for Vets is a division of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Association_of_Drug_Court_Professionals">National Association of Drug Court Professionals</a>.</p>
<p>Dean Christian Johnson, who was appointed to the <a href="https://www.wearecentralpa.com/news/new-veteran-task-force-created/539070230">Veterans Task Force</a> by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Stack">Lt. Gov. Michael Stack</a>, added that he is proud of the support the law school is able to provide to veterans.</p>
<p>&ldquo;The men and women who serve our country are some of the bravest I have had the privilege of knowing,&rdquo; said Johnson. &ldquo;And, sometimes they need a little bit of help. Veterans courts are a needed resource in our community to help those who have fought for our freedom to regain their own.&rdquo;</p>
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/widenerlawcommonwealth/albums/72157695986352330">Click here to view the photos from the event.</a></p>
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