CENTRAL FLORIDA — Florida has the third largest population of veterans in the United States with over 1.4 million military veterans, according to the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs.

However, mental health challenges like post-traumatic stress and substance abuse are not uncommon for veterans after combat.

What You Need To Know

  • Mental health challenges like post-traumatic stress and substance abuse are not uncommon for veterans after combat

  • That's why the Ninth Judicial Circuit offers veterans who land in legal trouble, a different option

  • Florida is home to more than 1.4 million military veterans, according to the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs

That’s why the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court in Central Florida offers veterans who land in legal trouble a different option. It’s called Veterans Treatment Court and falls under one of the four umbrellas of the Ninth Circuit’s Problem-Solving Court.

Currently, there are 50 veterans in Orange and Osceola counties’ program.

Eligibility criteria for Veterans Court include:

  • Must be a veteran
  • Must suffer from a military-service related mental illness, traumatic brain injury, substance abuse disorder, or psychological problem
  • No history of crimes against children
  • No history of sex crimes
  • No first degree felonies
  • All F2s will be staffed by the Veterans Court team for suitability
  • Must have victim consent if necessary

At Veterans Treatment Court, Judge Alicia L. Latimore takes a unique approach to status hearings.

Latimore goes through the docket, listening to veterans who are working to overcome personal challenges.

“Thank you for your service,” she said to one veteran. “You have a peer support specialist who is here to be of service to you and assist you as you go through the program.”

Emil Caron, who is a certified recovery peer specialist at Recovery Connections of Central Florida, is also a U.S. Navy veteran. He said the court helped him get back on the right track. Now, he’s a mentor helping veterans like himself move forward in life.

“For me, it means modeling recovery and also modeling veterans in recovery,” Caron said.

Caron said it’s nuanced to be a veteran in recovery because they may deal with PTSD from their service.

“The impact is providing successful recovery outcomes for veterans,” he explained.

He said the goal is to create a veterans recovery community, so they have each other beyond treatment and court issues.

“If there’s a veteran out here struggling, you don’t have to do this alone. There’s a community out there willing to support you, so get connected,” he said.

Latimore said it’s all a collaboration between probation officers, therapeutic providers and case managers.

“Many of these challenges have let them to commit minor criminal infractions, and Veterans Treatment Court is an opportunity for our veterans to have a new lease on life,” said Latimore.

Veterans Treatment Court meets every other Tuesday for non-felony cases.

The Ninth Judicial Circuit stated that across the U.S., successful completion of Veterans Court has helped decrease recidivism rates.

Officials have done it by giving veterans a proper diagnosis and treatment of mental health issues, along with the supportive roles mentors play.

Since the program’s inception in Orange County, 543 veterans have taken advantage of the program, and 95 in Osceola County.

The program kicked off in Orange County in 2013 and in Osceola County in 2014.

The minimum length of stay in Veterans Treatment Court is six months for misdemeanors and 12 months for felonies, up to the statutory maximum.

Referral is typical for cases, but veterans may also apply for the program.

If you need support, you can contact Orange County’s Veterans Treatment Court at 407-836-0651, and Osceola County at 407-742-2431.