Those Who Serve
They risked their lives for their country. Now they're on the front lines of a new battlefield: the courtroom. While the vast majority of veterans return from war healthy and quickly become valuable assets to their communities, Those Who Serve documents the journeys of three psychologically wounded American combat veterans who’ve committed crimes and are now struggling to find a just outcome in the judicial system. Interweaving the compelling and deeply personal stories of Rick, Mark and Tony, Those Who Serve gives viewers unprecedented access to real-life courtroom dramas that take painful, intimate, sometimes hopeful and sometimes sobering turns. Emmy-award winning producer/director Jeff Werner’s documentary aims to raise awareness of the struggles faced by military veterans returning to civilian life and the complexity of American society’s response when the return is more difficult than expected. With heart and candor, Those Who Serve offers insights into the tools at the disposal of the judicial system and treatment programs that might prevent veterans from becoming involved in the justice system in the first place. Note: This documentary contains intense, battle-related content throughout and potentially disturbing references to crime scenes and acts of violence.
Director: Jeff Werner
Producers: Jeff Werner and Kenneth A. Carlson