SenColemanSR196_Arena_Presentation_LVMAC_16Oct2024.pdf

Presentation given by Leo Knepper, Chief of Staff for State Senator Coleman, 16th District, to the Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council at its 16 October 2024 meeting. He spoke on the topic of what SR 196 will do. It involves the review of Pennsylvania's unified judicial system in regard to its performance in the handling of justice-involved veterans -- particularly in regard to identifying those who appear before its Courts of Common Pleas; determining whether or not they suffer with PTSD or TBI; and the consequent actions of the criminal justice system -- a landmark study due to be completed about this time next year.

2. PENNSYLVANIA’S 16
TH
SENATORIAL
DISTRICT

3. THANK YOU!
Senate Resolution 196 was the
direct result of collaboration
between Lehigh Valley Military
Affairs Council, PA War
Veterans Council, Vietnam
Veterans of America, District 16
staff, and other stakeholders.

4. SENATE RESOLUTION 196
Directs The PA Commission on
Sentencing To Conduct A
Thorough & Comprehensive
Study:
PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury,
Military Sexual Trauma
Service Members & Families
Criminal Justice System

5. DEPARTMENTS DIRECTED TO
COORDINATE THE STUDY

6. SENATE RESOLUTION 196 (PT 2)
Each Criminal Case
2016- 2021 Where The Criminal Offender Is
A Veteran
Severity Of Each Offense
Statutory Gradings
Offense Gravity Score & Prior Record Score
Disposition Of Each Case
Offender Was Summoned To Veterans
Treatment Court
Capital Required To Establish Additional
Veterans Treatment Courts

7. SENATE RESOLUTION 196 (PT 3)
Each Criminal Case
The Number Of Criminal Offenders
That Committed Two Or More
Offenses From Differing Cases
Considerations Relating to
Sentencing
In PA & Nationwide
Evaluation Of Thoroughness
Identification Of Veteran Status
Common Pleas
State Or County Courts

8. SENATE RESOLUTION 196 (PT 4)
Potential Impacts
Timeline Of Sentencing
Mandated Clinical Assessment Of
Veteran Offenders
PTSD, Military Sexual Trauma, Traumatic Brain
Injury
Prior To Sentencing If Assessment Doesn’t Exist
Current Treatment Options Available
While Incarcerated
Enrolled In A Veterans Treatment Court
Additional Health Care Treatment Options
While Incarcerated
Enrolled In A Veterans Treatment Court

9. SENATE RESOLUTION 196 (PT 5)
Resolved
The PA Commission On
Sentencing
Submit Report 15 Months
After Adoption of the
Resolution
Upon Receipt Of Report
Senate Judiciary Committee
Authorized To Hold Hearings
Elicit Testimony
Documents
Evidence Relating To Report

10. PA COMMISSION ON CRIME &
DELINQUENCY UPDATE
The Commission is in the process of analyzing 500,000 cases to
determine which cases involved veterans.
Labor intensive process because there is no standard tag to identify
veterans
The Commission is examining the administrative procedures as
they presently relate to Veterans Courts in the commonwealth.
Gatheringother information related to the study