State Rep. Barnes files bill to establish state veterans' court model

Rep. Jay Barnes, R-Jefferson City, files proposed veterans court legislation, HB1110, with Dana Miller, senior journal clerk with the office of the assistant chief clerk.
Rep. Jay Barnes, R-Jefferson City, files proposed veterans court legislation, HB1110, with Dana Miller, senior journal clerk with the office of the assistant chief clerk.

With the recent drawdown of troops serving in Iraq, thousands of servicemembers have begun the often-difficult transition from combat zone to home front.

This reintegration coupled with the possibility that many of these troops may be coping with "invisible wounds of war" - such as post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury - can contribute to the risk of an entanglement with a civilian court system.

"As an attorney, I have witnessed situations where an individual left for a deployment with no issues...they were simply stellar citizens," said Jay Barnes, R-Jefferson City. "But when they return from service, they experience trouble reintegrating into their communities, which can sometimes lead to legal complications."