Duval County Veterans Treatment Court

Contributed by Col. David Abramowitz, U.S. Army, (Ret.), volunteer senior mentor for the Veterans Treatment Court, and Jackie Green, volunteer mentor.

Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) is a court-supervised, comprehensive treatment program designed to help current and former Servicemembers who have a qualifying criminal charge. Participants must have a documented mental health diagnosis, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury, or substance use disorder. There must be a nexus between the offense, diagnoses and military service. Today, there are 31 VTCs throughout Florida.

One example of the experience of a potential participant is a former Marine who served in Iraq. During his combat tour, he was tasked with retrieving the DNA of deceased Iraqi Soldiers and evaluating them for any injuries from chemical weapons. He later developed extreme insomnia that continued well after that tour and his separation from the Marine Corps. After several unsuccessful attempts at therapy and medication to treat his insomnia, the former Marine resorted to drinking alcohol to self-medicate. He was later diagnosed with PTSD.

His insomnia and alcohol abuse began to affect his family. His confrontational attitude and fits of anger continued to escalate. Following an angry outburst, he left home only to be pulled over by law enforcement a few blocks away. He was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) and charged with a drunk and disorderly offense.

During his arraignment, prosecutors discovered he was a Veteran. After consulting with representatives from the Veterans Health Administration, the State Attorney’s Office, and the Veterans Justice Outreach coordinator, they determined that there was a connection between his charges and mental illness resulting from military service. He was referred to the Duval County VTC, where he received PTSD treatment, and has been doing very well since enrolling in the program.

The VTC program comprises five phases and includes a community service project that Veterans must complete prior to their final graduation. They receive an array of support, including individual and group therapy sessions, weekly drug screenings, and medical and social services. Participants are assigned a public defender, and they must visit with the VTC judge on a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly basis, dependent on the phase of the program they are in.

VTC provides staff to assist with case management and assigns a Veteran mentor to support and encourage Servicemembers throughout their recovery. Mentors are significant to the success of the program, as they establish a rapport with participants and build trust and camaraderie throughout the year. Mentors empathize with their struggles and provide accountability.

While sanctions such as additional hours of community service may be imposed for non-compliance, the goal of the program is to achieve rehabilitation through restorative means, recognizing that relapse is often part of the recovery process. Veterans must stay in the program for at least one year before becoming eligible for graduation.

Upon completion of the program, Veterans have a new start, often without jail sentences or criminal records. They may find employment (when desired) and contribute to society by paying taxes. Since 2018, 86 Veterans have graduated from the Duval County VTC and only one has reentered the judicial system.

06 | LIBERTYLIFEMEDIA.COM | NOVEMBER 25, 2020 VOL. 1 / ISSUE 10