Veterans Court in Orange County: An Alternative to Jail Time

If you are going through the court system as a veteran, you may be able to use veterans court to avoid jail time. The objective for veterans court is to support veterans while reducing recidivism rates, so you will be given therapy, ongoing probation visits, and other tools to avoid getting arrested again in the future. While it might not work for everyone, taking part in this veterans program can be a good option if you would like to keep your record clean and avoid jail time.

The Orange County Collaborative Courts programs and services are provided for different segments of the community, such as youth, homeless individuals, and veterans. Ultimately, the goal of the Collaborative Courts is to lower recidivism rates and encourage better public safety. Additionally, the court seeks to encourage a better quality of life for participants and the community at large.

Besides the court-based services, there are also mental health assessments, vocational skills training, legal aid for civil cases, employment assistance, and mental health referrals. Basically, the Collaborative Courts seek to solve the underlying reason why people end up becoming involved with the justice system.

Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) is a specific program that provides therapy and support services for former military members. With the veterans court program, people get help after their initial interaction with the criminal justice system.

Veterans court in California can help through several integral ways. For example, veterans court helps people get mental health treatment for traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Once someone is referred to the program, they may be signed up for services through the Department of Veterans Affairs. The veterans court program involves a five-stage process that lasts for at least 18 months. If you aren’t eligible for treatment from the Department of Veterans Affairs, you may be able to get help through the county Health Care Agency. The following list includes just a few of the support programs you may be given.

• Self-help meetings, such as Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous
• Supervision through a probation officer
• Random drug and alcohol testing
• Mental health treatment
• Weekly meetings with your dedicate care coordinator
• Life plan development
• Ongoing court appearances

Ultimately, veterans court can help you avoid jail and prison sentences. However, it’s important to make sure to follow the plan given to you by the court. If you don’t stick to the terms of your agreement and complete the program, you will likely have the charges reinstated and end up on a jail roster.

However, the majority of people who take part in veterans court end up having their charges dismissed and successfully finishing the program. Because of this, it’s a good idea to bring up this option with your attorney.

Before you start scouring the web for a veterans lawyer near me, you should start by seeing if you're eligible for any kind of veterans program. Even if you meet these requirements though, the judge has the full discretion to decide if you’ll get to take part in it or not. At the very least, you’ll need to meet the eligibility requirements below.

• You must have previously served in the United States military.
• You must plead guilty to the charges in your criminal case.
• You must currently be suffering from one condition out of a select list of mental health disorders, including substance abuse and military sexual trauma.
• You have to agree to complete a 15-month to 18-month program.
• You must be currently eligible for probation.
• While you generally need to have an honorable discharge, there are some exceptions.
• You generally can’t be accused of sex or gang crimes.

If you are a veteran, going to veterans court may be able to help you avoid jail time. However, there are certain limitations on this type of program, so it’s essential to talk to your attorney about the best options for your case. To learn more, reach out to our attorneys today.