Orange County Veterans Court

The Ninth Judicial Circuit, which covers Orange and Osceola Counties, has run the Orange County Veterans Court since October 2013 under section 394.47891 of the Florida Statutes; see the Florida entry. Osceola County has its own, with different rules. Who. The circuit's brochure lists anyone who has served in the U.S. Armed Forces, has a demonstrated treatment need, is charged with a crime appropriate for the court that can be linked to the diagnosis, and lives in the Central Florida area. Misdemeanor and felony cases are considered. Getting in. The defense lawyer submits the circuit's problem-solving court referral form; the case manager verifies VA benefits; then the assistant state attorney and the judge assigned to the case must agree to the referral, and a treatment and mental health assessment decides whether the court is appropriate. Diversion referrals need the State Attorney's approval. Section 394.47891(8) makes admission the court's decision, with its team, and sets no discharge test, but the brochure does not say what happens to a veteran whose VA benefits cannot be verified. Tracks. Track I, diversion, ends with the charges dismissed; Track II, post-plea, with a reduced sentence from the referring judge; Track III for probation violations, for the term of probation. Participants attend court, meet a case manager and a veteran mentor, do community service, are tested at random and receive treatment; the court also helps with housing, work, disability claims and discharge status. Participants on probation pay the supervision fee and drug testing, and may owe fines or restitution. Contact: Orange County Courthouse, Suite 120 (407-836-0651, [email protected]). The brochure dates from 2015.