What are Veterans Treatment Courts?

By Katharine Stewart, National Coordinator for Veteran Treatment Courts, VHA Homeless Programs Office

September 21, 2026

Veterans Treatment Courts (VTCs) are specialized courts that integrate treatment and rehabilitation into the criminal justice process. Designed for eligible Veterans whose legal involvement may be linked to mental health conditions, substance use disorders, or other underlying challenges, VTCs focus on addressing factors that may contribute to justice-system involvement while helping participants build a path toward recovery and stability. Unlike traditional criminal courts, where the primary purpose is to determine whether a defendant is guilty of an offense, VTCs emphasize rehabilitation.

Because VTCs are established and operated by local governments, eligibility requirements and program structures vary by jurisdiction. Depending on the community and the structure of the court, participation in a VTC may provide an alternative to traditional prosecution or incarceration.

Treating challenges before they become crises

By addressing underlying needs early, VTCs create opportunities for intervention before challenges worsen and lead to further involvement with the justice system. VTCs connect Veterans with treatment, recovery services, and other supports based on their individual circumstances.

VTCs bring together judges, attorneys, treatment providers, justice-system professionals, VA staff, Veteran mentors, and other community partners. Working as a team, they coordinate support and supervision designed to help Veterans engage in treatment while meeting requirements established by the court.

A defining feature of VTCs is the involvement of volunteer Veteran mentors who provide encouragement, guidance, and peer support throughout the court process. Their shared military experience can help participants stay engaged in treatment and recovery while navigating court requirements.

Throughout the process, Veterans may be required to attend regular court hearings, complete drug or alcohol testing, and meet other conditions established by the court.

Court structures vary by community and jurisdiction. Some courts operate on a pre-plea basis, allowing eligible Veterans to participate in treatment and other requirements before entering a guilty plea. Others operate after a plea or conviction.

Connecting Veterans with care and support

VTCs are operated by local governments, not VA. However, VA works with these courts through Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) Specialists. VJO Specialists may serve as members of VTC treatment teams, helping assess Veterans’ needs and connecting eligible Veterans with appropriate VA health care and other services.

While VJO Specialists help connect Veterans with care and may provide treatment-related updates when authorized by the Veteran, decisions regarding court eligibility, participation requirements, and legal outcomes remain the responsibility of the court.

This collaboration gives Veterans an opportunity to access care while they are still involved in the justice system. As of December 2025, VJO Specialists reported serving approximately 745 VTCs and other Veteran-focused court programs nationwide.

Building stability beyond the courtroom

While Veterans Treatment Courts are not part of VA’s homeless programs, they can address underlying challenges that may contribute to housing instability, including untreated mental health and substance use concerns.

Addressing these needs while a Veteran is still connected to the justice system can support recovery, rehabilitation, and successful reintegration back into the community. For some Veterans, this early intervention may also reduce factors that can contribute to homelessness. When housing instability is a concern, connecting Veterans with housing and other supports can provide additional help as they work toward stability.