MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP) - Officials in Murfreesboro plan to meet this week to iron out details of a court being developed specifically to serve veterans.

The Daily News Journal (http://on.dnj.com/1Ig6fUL) reports the court could open this fall.

Commissioners in Rutherford County voiced their approval in February for the launch of the initiative, which will initially serve veterans who end up in the court system for drug or driving under the influence offenses.

It is among the latest communities to begin developing a court to cater to veterans. The communities of Shelby, Montgomery and Davidson counties received a grant late last year to develop a similar system.

Trey King, who directs the county's drug court program, and General Sessions Court Judge Ben Hall MacFarlin will oversee the veteran's treatment court with assistance from veterans, who will act as counselors.  Read more.

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics, the Sixteenth Judicial District veteran population is 22,535 in 2015.                                  Cannon County - 1,054                        Rutherford County - 21,481

County veterans court may open soon

MURFREESORO

Use of veterans courts in US continues to increase

One of Rutherford County's goals for the New Year is to lend an ear to thousands of voices that often go unheard.

By April, county officials hope to have its new veterans treatment court in place and ready for its first class. The court will be specifically geared toward helping the estimated 20,000 veterans living in Rutherford County who've suffered drug addictions, homelessness and other hardships following wartime.

Active duty soldiers who run into trouble with the law will also be eligible for the court. Those who have committed non-violent crimes will be eligible for the program.

"Veterans court is truly a tool we can use here in Rutherford County," said Deputy Mayor Jeff Davidson. "We really need to try to bring the services to better serve these veterans. It just makes sense." Read more.

(Photo: Gannett Tennessee)