Judges Stephen R. Illingworth of the 10th Judicial District and Ryan C. Carson of the 9th Judicial District, announce the development of the Central Nebraska Veterans Treatment Court. The new problem-solving court will serve veterans from Adams, Buffalo, and Hall Counties.

Illingworth and Carson will serve as the presiding judges of the Court, which will include a court coordinator, probation officer, county attorney, defense attorney, treatment providers, veterans justice officer, and law enforcement officers.

In preparation for the launch of the new Court, team members attended an October training program through the ‘Justice for Vets’ division of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals. The training focused on both implementation assistance and long-term planning.

Final steps for Court implementation include approval by the Nebraska Supreme Court and confirmation of local support services systems. The Central Nebraska Veterans Treatment Court anticipates opening to participants in early 2021.       

The Court’s goal is to allow veterans in the tri-city area to be rehabilitated into the law-abiding citizens they were prior to service. Veterans often return home with issues unique to the traumatic experience of military service and combat.  Veterans Court judges and staff work to empower veterans to live a healthy and productive lifestyle through honor, courage, integrity, and commitment to their family and community.

Contact:       

Skye Lindgreen  skye.lindgreen@nebraska.gov, District 9 Problem Solving Court Coordinator 308-379-0594

Adam Jorgensen, Statewide Problem-Solving Court Coordinator, 402-471-4415 or 402-219-4297

News Reporters-

For background information on Nebraska’s Veterans Treatment Courts:

Legal news article written by Adam Jorgensen: https://supremecourt.nebraska.gov/nebraskas-veterans-treatment-courts-need-implementation

Court Models and Contact Information: https://supremecourt.nebraska.gov/courts/problem-solving-courts