A veteran listens to the announcement of a new court opening specifically for veterans.

INDIANAPOLIS — Marion County now has a new way to deal with veterans who run into trouble with the law.

The Indianapolis Veterans Court opened Friday morning.

It’s designed to be a rehabilitative judicial process for vets and current members of the military facing low-level criminal charges.

“If that person is screened, and turns out to have substance abuse or mental health issues that caused or contributed to that arrest, we’re able to intervene, get a person who wants to do it, into our treatment program and push that veteran back to the right path,” said Judge David Certo with the Indianapolis Veterans Court.

Each defendant who participates in the court is assigned another veteran to serve as a mentor.

On average, 20 veterans are arrested each week in Marion County.

Source: WTHR