Nineteenth Judicial Circuit: Okeechobee County Veteran's Treatment Court

The Nineteenth Judicial Circuit runs a veterans treatment court in each of its four counties under section 394.47891 of the Florida Statutes; see the Florida entry. The Okeechobee County court is "a judicially supervised treatment program for those people charged with a crime who have previously served in the United States Armed Services", for mental health or substance use problems that led to the charge. The circuit's page and handbook set no discharge, rating or VA-eligibility test; treatment runs through the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center and its Veterans Justice Outreach Specialist. Two ways in. As a diversion on a plea for those "eligible by statute": on successful completion the plea is withdrawn and the charges dismissed. Or as a condition of probation: the charges stand, but early termination of probation can be considered. Ask defence counsel; the circuit's page says to "consult with your lawyer about your options for your case." How it runs. Every participant gets a mentor. Court is every other week at first, then less often, on the third floor of the Okeechobee County Courthouse. The handbook's tracks: felony, medium-high to high risk, about 12 to 18 months in four phases (45, 115, 115 and 90 days, with 15 to 40 clean days to advance); felony low risk, about a year; misdemeanor, six months to a year. The court's orders require the participant to live in Okeechobee County unless the court approves otherwise. Cost. The handbook lists possible probation fees, court costs, restitution, treatment and drug testing - the testing hotline is $40 a week - but "no one will be denied treatment or access to Veterans Treatment Court due to inability to pay." Size. The circuit's court program specialist reported 4 active veterans court cases to the county's Public Safety Coordinating Council in December 2025 and 5 in April 2026; a commissioner noted on August 13, 2026 that the 2026 change to the veterans court statute does not reach cases begun before it. Team. Judge William Wallace; Coordinator Jess Mosely, 772-807-4388, [email protected]; Assistant Public Defender Katherine Alonzo, 772-337-5691.