Veterans Treatment Court program in New Hanover County

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) –There’s a court program in New Hanover County that provides an alternative for veterans charged with low-level, non-violent offenses.

WWAY spoke with District Attorney Jason Smith on Wednesday about Veterans Treatment Court, a program introduced in 2022. Smith, who serves New Hanover and Pender counties, is also a veteran.

“This is an option for veterans,” Smith said. “If you are coming through our criminal justice system, we can try and get you help — if you are willing to help yourself.”

The program is voluntary and only available to eligible veterans. It is designed to connect participants with treatment services and support while under judicial oversight.

“You have people in this court who understand what these veterans have gone through,” Smith said, “but then they can marry up with maybe VA benefits — whether it’s housing, whether it’s medical needs.”

Smith said the program is available to veterans facing a range of challenges.

“PTSD, physical injuries, you have substance abuse injuries, you have not PTSD but other mental health issues,” he said.

Participants are required to attend regular court sessions, follow an individual case plan, and comply with probation requirements. The court meets twice a month and can serve up to 15 participants at a time.

“They are low-level crimes, but they affect our whole community,” Smith said. “If we can stop the snowball effect of these types of crimes, then we are making our community safer.”

Smith said three veterans have graduated from the program since it launched.

New Hanover County is also home to two other treatment courts: Community Recovery Court and Community Empowerment Court. The three courts rotate each Friday.