1st Indiana veterans court founder to attend State of Union

NEW ALBANY, Ind. (AP) – A judge who founded Indiana’s first court designed to help troubled veterans turn their lives around has been invited to President Barack Obama’s final State of the Union address.

Floyd County Superior Court Judge Maria Granger says her invitation to the president’s Jan. 12 address “says boldly that justice is for all Hoosiers, veterans and civilians, alike.”

Granger established Indiana’s first Veterans Court in 2011. Indiana now has 15 such courts with nine more in the works. Those courts recognize the unique challenges many veterans face and provide them with alternatives for putting their legal troubles behind them.

U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly says such courts help veterans “especially those dealing with mental health issues or substance abuse, get their lives back on track.”