Introduction

Abstract

This chapter provides an introduction and overview for the book. Historical events and advances in social science have led to a renewed focus on criminal justice in the United States, and particularly among military veterans. With the wars in Vietnam and the Middle East in past decades, there is concern about the mental health and social adjustment of returning veterans that may manifest in ways that involve the criminal and civil legal system. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) along with local communities throughout the country have developed programs, services, and legal courts for veterans involved in legal systems. This book contains a series of chapters that describe research on the various intersections of mental health and criminal and civil law among veterans.