Veterans’ Courts

“Time Served” Documentary Screening, Nov. 10, 2020
Producer Joseph Darius Jaafari screened the video “Time Served” at the Nov. 10, 2020, meeting of the MVA Committee, thanks to the leadership of Chair Lisa Grayson.  
Here is the story: In July, 2018, Charles Aberegg attacked his wife in the middle of the night. Aberegg suffered from PTSD from his military service and was prone to night terrors, according to his wife. But his alcohol abuse -- triggered and made worse by his trauma -- made him black out during the attack. He faced up to five years in prison. But because of his military service, he was offered an opportunity to go through a Veterans Treatment Court. But not everyone gets that opportunity. Lack of resources at the county level or counties simply refusing to stand up a veterans court means that people with similar crimes face very different outcomes. A PA Post / WITF original documentary, “Time Served," follows what it’s like for Aberegg and another Iraq war veteran, both in the courtroom and behind bars.


Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee Vice Chair Steve Todd addresses PBA Board of Governors, Nov. 18, 2020
Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee Vice Chair Steve Todd provided remarks before the PBA Board of Governors on Nov. 18, 2020, citing his role as a mentor coordinator and individual mentor for the Butler County Veterans Court since it was started in 2012.


Pictured below is the front and back of the Challenge Coin created for the Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee


Butler Court Veterans Treatment Court Graduation Ceremony, Nov. 9, 2020
Pictured below from left, Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Debra Todd, Butler County Judge Timothy F. McCune, former Pittsburgh Steeler (and wounded Vietnam War Veteran) Rocky Blier and PBA Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee Vice Chair Steve Todd on Nov. 9, 2020, at the Butler Court Veterans Treatment Court graduation ceremony