2020 Manatee County Stand Down – Veterans Amnesty Court

BRADENTON – The 2020 Manatee County Stand Down will look very different this year. Due to COVID-19, this year’s event will only be limited to the Veterans Amnesty Court and Veterans Services information tables. Turning Points is hosting this event with partnership with the Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court and will occur on Saturday, November 14^th from 8:00am-Noon at the Manatee Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave West, Bradenton FL 34205. Opening ceremonies start the Stand Down at 8:00am with Amnesty Court following thereafter.

Last year the Amnesty Court by the Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court heard 42 cases, 11 evictions were set aside and $25,582.37 in fines and court fees for our local Veterans were dismissed.

Veterans Amnesty Court can assist with:

– Unpaid court fees/fines (closed cases)

– Unpaid traffic fines/fees

– Driver’s license assistance

Veterans are asked to bring their VA card or DD-214 and a driver’s license. Event is open to Manatee and Sarasota County veterans.

Turning Points is also partnering with four other veterans services organizations that will have information tables outside the Judicial Center. Homeless veterans and potentially homeless veterans can enroll in the Turning Points Yellow Ribbon Veterans Program or get information from the other veterans agencies for assistance.

The Manatee County Stand Down / Amnesty Court will be a life-changing event for many of the veterans we will see on November 14th. It is absolutely amazing to see the transition that can occur in a veteran’s life upon getting fines and court fees dismissed, accessing the Yellow Ribbon Program at Turning Points, as he/she gets off the street and is placed in a home, or keeps current stable housing, and is given exposure to job opportunities and starts a new life!