Veteran to Veteran:
Veterans Treatment Court can be life-changing—but it's not for everyone. It's intensive, demanding, and requires total commitment. As a fellow veteran and criminal defense attorney, I'm going to give you the straight truth about your options, so you can make the right decision for your situation.
Three Paths for Veterans Facing Criminal Charges
When you're a veteran facing charges in Orange or Osceola County, you have three main options. Let's break them down:
Path 1: Pre-Plea Veterans Treatment Court
Best Outcome If You Can Commit
What It Is:
You enter the program before entering a plea. If you successfully complete the intensive treatment program (12-24 months), charges are typically dismissed or significantly reduced. No conviction on your record.
What It Requires:
- Frequent court appearances (weekly early on, then bi-weekly)
- Intensive mental health and/or substance abuse treatment
- Random drug/alcohol testing
- Veteran mentor meetings
- Full compliance—violations can get you kicked out
- Total time commitment: 12-24 months minimum
The Payoff:
✓ Charges dismissed or reduced
✓ No criminal conviction
✓ Eligible for record sealing/expungement
✓ Treatment for PTSD, TBI, substance abuse
✓ Connection with VA benefits
BEST FOR:
Veterans with service-connected mental health or substance abuse issues who can commit to intensive treatment and have stable housing/support systems.
Path 2: Post-Plea Veterans Treatment Court
Less Intensive, But Conviction Already Entered
What It Is:
You plead guilty or no contest to the charges, then enter a specialized probation program with veteran mentors and monitoring. You've already been convicted—the program helps you successfully complete probation.
What It Requires:
- Less frequent court check-ins than Pre-Plea
- Veteran mentor support
- Probation compliance (drug tests, check-ins, etc.)
- Some treatment requirements
The Downside:
✗ You already have a conviction on your record
✗ Cannot be dismissed later
✗ Affects employment, housing, firearm rights
✓ But: Successful completion avoids jail/prison
✓ Veteran-focused support during probation
BEST FOR:
Veterans who already entered a plea or need less intensive monitoring. Provides veteran support but doesn't avoid a conviction.
Path 3: Traditional Defense with Veteran Mitigation
Veterans Court Too Intense? Your Service Still Matters
What It Is:
You don't enter Veterans Court, but your attorney uses your military service, PTSD, TBI, or other service-connected issues as mitigation in negotiations with prosecutors and at sentencing.
What It Can Achieve:
- Reduced charges through negotiation
- Alternative sentencing (probation instead of jail)
- Treatment requirements instead of incarceration
- Judicial consideration of service-connected trauma
- Connection to VA resources as part of sentencing
- Fight the case at trial if warranted
Why Choose This Path:
- Veterans Court requirements are too demanding for your situation
- You don't qualify for Veterans Court (wrong type of charge, discharge status, etc.)
- You want to fight the charges at trial
- Your case is strong—you may win outright
- You need flexibility that Veterans Court doesn't allow
BEST FOR:
Veterans who can't commit to Veterans Court's intensity, don't qualify, or have defensible cases worth fighting. Your service still matters as mitigation.
⚠️ The Reality Check
Many veterans find Veterans Court too demanding. The program is very rewarding if you're able and willing to comply with all requirements—but if you can't, it's not a failure on your part. There are other ways to get a good outcome.
The key is having an attorney evaluate YOUR specific situation and recommend the best path forward for YOU.
Veterans Treatment Court offers a path to rehabilitation and recovery for those who served.
Who Qualifies for Veterans Treatment Court?
Orange and Osceola County programs generally require:
- Veteran status (honorable or general discharge; dishonorable usually disqualifies)
- Qualifying charges (non-violent offenses, certain misdemeanors, some felonies—violent crimes and sexual offenses excluded)
- Service-connected issues (PTSD, TBI, substance abuse, mental health)
- Willingness and ability to commit to intensive treatment
- Prosecutor approval (not automatic—an attorney helps)
Not sure if you qualify? Call for a free consultation. Even if you don't think you qualify, an experienced attorney can sometimes advocate for your acceptance.
Veteran mentors provide peer support throughout the recovery process.
Free Consultation for All Veterans
As a fellow veteran, I offer free initial consultations to all veterans facing criminal charges. Let's evaluate your options together—veteran to veteran.
Why You Need an Attorney Who's Also a Veteran
I'm not just a criminal defense attorney—I'm a fellow veteran who understands:
- Military culture and the challenges of transitioning to civilian life
- PTSD, TBI, and combat trauma from personal and professional experience
- How to present your service to judges and prosecutors effectively
- VA benefits navigation to strengthen your case and recovery
- When Veterans Court is right—and when it's not
I'll give you honest advice about whether Veterans Court makes sense for your situation, or if we should pursue a different strategy. Your service deserves respect—not a one-size-fits-all approach.
Veterans Treatment Court Contact Information
Both Orange and Osceola Counties operate Veterans Treatment Court programs through the Ninth Judicial Circuit:
🏛️ Orange County Veterans Treatment Court
Location: Orange County Courthouse, Suite 120
Phone: 407-836-0651
Email: veteranscourt@ocnjcc.org
Serves: Orlando, Winter Park, Apopka, and all of Orange County
🏛️ Osceola County Veterans Treatment Court
Location: Jon B. Morgan Osceola County Courthouse, Office 3100
Phone: 407-742-2431
Email: osceolapscreferrals@ocnjcc.org
Serves: Kissimmee, St. Cloud, and all of Osceola County
⚠️ Don't Go It Alone
While you can contact the court directly, it's strongly recommended to consult with an attorney first. A properly prepared application with supporting documentation dramatically increases your chances of acceptance. I help veterans navigate this process every day.
Ready to Discuss Your Options?
Whether you're considering Veterans Court or need traditional defense with veteran mitigation, let's talk about the best strategy for YOUR case. Free consultation for all veterans.
Available 24/7. Serving Orange County, Osceola County, and all of Central Florida.