After years of serving their country, many veterans return home to face new battles – struggles with addiction, trauma, and the challenges of reintegration into our communities. An expanded mentorship program and new phases in Veterans Court are giving veterans the support they need as they work to rebuild their lives and navigate the judicial system with dignity and understanding.

Veterans Court is a therapeutic court that connects veterans with community-based services and support. Participants progress through four updated phases focused on treatment, accountability, and personal growth. Upon graduation, eligible veterans may receive reductions in fines and fees, and in some cases, early termination of probation, recognizing their commitment to rehabilitation and recovery.

“This program gives everyone on the Veterans Court team – including myself – the opportunity to give back to our veterans and offer them the assistance and services they deserve for serving our country,” said Kristian Morales, Commissioner. “The updated Veterans Court program phases encourage and support veteran participation to learn new skills and receive the services they need.”

New program phases:

  • Treatment Plan Development and Orientation: Orients the veteran to the program, screens for services, and establishes a treatment plan.
  • Stabilization and Ongoing Treatment: Focuses on helping veterans resolve any pressing needs, such as housing, mental health assistance, and withdrawals.
  • Prosocial Habilitation: Addresses substance use, associating with antisocial or substance-using peers, deficient problem-solving skills, impulsiveness, and antisocial attitudes.
  • Achievement and Life Transition: Transitions the veteran from the Veterans Court structure to a pro-active lifestyle and work regarding continuity of care post-graduation.

The Veterans Court team consists of a judicial officer, the state’s attorney, defense counsel, Veterans Court mentors, a Veterans Administration social worker (VJO), community providers, and four adult probation officers.

“The goal is that they leave Veterans Court and are discharged from probation in a better place than when we found them,” said Alexa Hearn, Adult Probation Officer. “They get connected with services, and they’ve hopefully made some prosocial peers through treatment and are connected through employment and housing. There are many goals participants can achieve through the program.”

This year, the Veterans Court has placed a stronger emphasis on inviting program graduates to return as mentors, offering invaluable support and encouragement to participants facing challenges. Among them is Jeremiah Winn, a graduate who completed the program in January. Having been through Veterans Court twice himself, he’s seen firsthand how recent improvements to the program are making a meaningful difference in the lives of fellow veterans.

“Veterans Court gave me the resources that I didn’t know were out there. Had I not been placed in this court, I don’t think I would’ve gotten the help I needed,” said Winn, now a Veterans Court mentor. “And we now have a judicial system that is recognizing that people made mistakes, but they are here to figure out what the root cause is, why do they keep having the same person in the courtroom repeatedly.”

By addressing the underlying issues that contribute to justice system involvement and offering targeted rehabilitation services, Veterans Court gives participants the tools and support they need to successfully reintegrate in the community and lead more stable and productive lives.

Winn shares his experience, hoping to encourage veterans to not only speak up in court but also ask for the help they need to succeed.

“I share my story with them, that I was right where they are not more than 18 months ago, and in doing that, it establishes trust, but it also gives them a glimmer of hope,” says Winn. “And I tell them your life is what you convince yourself it is.”

tags: