Augusta - Veterans who get in trouble with the law might be given another option other than jail time. A new bill would create a veterans treatment court in Maine.

LD 1698's sponsor Representative Maeghan Maloney of Augusta presented the legislation during a hearing at the state house on Tuesday. She was joined by many veterans who support the bill.

"A court system like this is very helpful because we get you into a system, we get you the treatments you need, we get you fixed, and on your way to living a good life," said Marine Corps veteran Allen Foley.

Maloney explained the bill is presented in memory of US Army Ranger Justin Crowley-Smilek of Farmington. She says he was suffering from PTSD last November when he allegedly pulled a knife on an officer, who then shot him.

"He served his country in Afghanistan. He survived Afghanistan but couldn't survive Maine," said Rep. Maloney.

Crowley-Smilek's stepmother was among those who spoke in favor of the bill.

"Justin was in dire need of more professional help than he got, more peer support and a legal system that recognizes that combat veterans come home with unique and serious problems," said Lorna Smilek.

Those who support the bill say many veterans who commit crimes do so because they're suffering from a mental health issue due to their time at war.

"It's often related to self-medicating for something like post-traumatic stress disorder. And that self-medicating can come in the form of alcohol abuse or drug abuse and that's where they can get involved in the criminal justice system and what the bill does is enables them to receive treatment instead of jail time," said Maloney.

In addition to treatment, this bill would also create a program for volunteer veterans to mentor those going through the court system.

"A veteran to a veteran, who knows what it's like to be in a a war zone, to come home and it isn't quite correct," said Foley, who says he would volunteer to be a mentor.

Maloney says the program would be paid for through federal funds designated for veterans services.

She says there would be guidelines set up to determine who could qualify.

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