Romani
Madison County Circuit Judge Charles Romani, chief of criminal courts, was scheduled to meet with members of the U.S. House Committee on Veterans' Affairs on Tuesday in Washington, D.C.
Romani is presiding judge of Madison County Veterans' Court. He was invited by Rep. Bob Filner, D-Calif., chairman of the committee.
The Madison County Veterans' Court, one of the first in the country, is staffed by veterans from nearly every branch of the Armed Forces.
Representing the Air Force, Marines and the Navy, probation officers, an assistant public defender and an assistant state's attorney are among the those who volunteer in the court.
Romani is an Army combat veteran who served in the Vietnam War.
He said the Veterans' Court, which is modeled after the Drug Court, is successfully operating with 10 veterans currently participating in the program.
However, Romani said the sustainability of the court is in serious jeopardy.
Earlier this month, court officials stated that deep budget cuts in the county's probation department will seriously endanger Madison County's specialty courts, including Veterans' Court, because of loss of participation from probation officers.