Firm to offer free legal services for veterans charged with DUI in Mich.

The link between military service-related PTSD and alcohol or drug abuse is strong. According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, veterans of military service, especially those who have served in combat, struggle with alcohol abuse. One study found that veterans returning home after deployment abuse alcohol at a rate that is double that of the civilian population. In observance of Memorial Day, attorneys and staff at a local DUI defense law firm want to offer help to veterans. "This Memorial Day, we want to not only honor veterans whose lives were lost to combat, but also those whose lives have been impacted or lost as the result of alcoholism and substance abuse," said Ryan Ramsayer, an attorney at Barone Defense Firm and a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. Located in Birmingham, Barone Defense Firm exclusively practices DUI defense, and will have veteran and Ramsayer represent two veterans pro bono who have a pending DUI in Wayne, Oakland, or Macomb counties, and who have not retained legal counsel. Although only two pro bono cases will be available, the firm offers free consultations for all cases. "At our firm, we feel that we owe a debt to those who bravely served in the military," said the firm principal and founder Patrick Barone. "Ryan honorably served with the Marine Corps, and our staff have family members who have served. For us, showing our appreciation is personal." Barone added, "We feel strongly that our veterans deserve our help. They willingly offered to serve, we want to help them win back their lives after a DUI arrest." Often the stress of service can have lasting impacts on veterans. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reported that more than 20 percent of veterans with PTSD also have a substance abuse disorder. Heavy drinking can put veterans in direct contact with the courts. The Michigan State Bar Journal reported that of the more than 661,000 veterans in Michigan, approximately 10 percent have had contact with the state judicial system. "The State of Michigan has recognized that veterans need and deserve our help when they return home," Barone said. "In 2013 the state created veteran treatment courts, enabling veterans to voluntarily participate in programs that can help them address issues that contributed to their legal troubles, as an alternative to jail." For example, Barone said, a veteran who was arrested for certain drug charges may choose to participate in a 12-step program and receive mental health care services in lieu of paying fines, serving jail time and completing a standard probation period. Published: Mon, May 25, 2015