Sacramento Veterans Court Gives Those Who Served Another Chance And A Helping Hand

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — It's been a year since CBS13 took viewers inside a specialized courtroom designed to give veterans who commit crimes a second chance.

It's an unusual spot to hold a graduation ceremony, but that's what's happening inside Department 1 of the Sacramento County Superior Courthouse. It's where Judge David Abbot is not handing down a sentence or giving jury instructions—he's extending a lifeline to those who have risked their lives fighting for our country.

The Sacramento County Veterans Treatment Court allows certain defendants who have experienced combat to have their criminal records wiped clean. They need to complete a 120 to 18-month program where they have to stay sober, not re-offend, and meet with the judge, a mentor, and a probation officer on a regular basis.

Three men recently graduated from the court.

"This is actually the first time I actually liked everybody on my case load and respected everyone on my case load," said probation officer Greg Turner. "These guys are all American heroes."

The specialized court is their compass, and the man leading the charge is a veteran of the Vietnam era.

"It's been very gratifying for me--particularly gratifying that we have veterans in our program from the Vietnam era," he said. "Those are a group of vets I think who were largely overlooked for a long, long time."

There are strict rules to qualify for the court. The defendant needs to prove they suffered a mental condition during his or her tour of duty that directly led to the crime committed.

"The offenses that we're dealing with range anywhere from vandalism to aggravated assault and everything in-between," he said.

Post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury are two reasons veterans face those issues. Deputy district attorney Chris Carlson, who helped start the program, says they need and deserve special treatment.

"They should be granted the ability to go through treatment to address that mental condition that caused them to commit the crime," Carlson said.

To better understand what combat veterans go through. Carlson and Abbott shared a portion of the transcript when a veteran addressed the court:

"No one really knows what they're getting themselves into when they go out there and fight. People play Call of Duty or watch Rambo movies and think it's fun. But no one really knows what it's like to lead men into battle and watch men die in front of you, especially the buddies you trained and told them, 'I'm going to bring you home if you listen to me,' and they die. That puts an impact in your head."

Abbott and others hope the impact of the special court will be felt for years to come.

The program currently has 18 men on the road to recovery.

If you are interested in being a mentor please email franklinsc@saccounty.net