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."