HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Local agencies are teaming up to help veterans in need just days before the Veteran’s Day holiday. It’s part of the Veterans Outreach Court, an annual event designed to help low-income military veterans resolve legal problems.
Community leaders from the 13th Judicial Circuit, the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court & Comptroller, the Hillsborough State Attorney’s Office, the Hillsborough Public Defender’s Office, Hillsborough County Veterans Services, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs teamed up to host the free event.
"I joined when I was 18. I entered into field artillery. I did four years…I'm a desert storm veteran," said Joseph Jones, a military veteran.
On Friday, Jones was given a clean slate.
"Red light tickets are tricky because you don't always know that you have a ticket, so you might have two or three before you get the first one, so any time you can deal with those, especially in a venue like this, it's a thousand times better," he said.
Judges cleared him of any speeding ticket charges he had accumulated during the Veterans outreach court event ahead of Veterans Day.
"It makes all the difference in the world because I'm that much closer to resolving all of my issues," said Jones.
A similar event was also hosted in Pinellas County.
The annual Veterans Outreach Court helps veterans resolve outstanding fees and fines that may keep them from holding valid driver’s licenses.
Circuit Judge Daryl Manning, a U.S. Army veteran, said it’s a project he’s passionate about.
“Veterans Outreach Court is not a handout, but a helping hand up. It’s a way we can help these men and women veterans get back on their feet by quickly resolving some of their legal issues. They certainly have earned this kind of support,” he said.
Jones and fellow veteran James Broner said they couldn't be more thankful.
"This is wonderful, you know what I'm saying. You have inflation. We aren't getting stimulus, you know what I'm saying. This is great," said Broner.
"Any time someone recognizes my service, it's a good thing. It makes it all worthwhile, so I appreciate it very much," said Jones.
Cases excluded from the event include domestic violence, child support, felonies with active warrants, and those pending in Veterans Court.
The annual court is aimed at helping low-income veterans who may have lost their licenses or have fines and fees that have accumulated and are no longer manageable.
Friday’s event featured 30 defendants with 130 cases on the morning docket.
