Combat Vets Can Have Their Criminal Cases Dismissed In Orange County If They Complete Veterans Court

There is a court in Orange County that is run by Judge Wendy Lindley that can be the “magic bullet” that saves combat veterans from felony convictions and lengthy jail sentences. The court has been operating for many years and many combat veterans have successfully completed the program. First, your California criminal lawyer must know about this court and how it works. Second, your California criminal lawyer must convince the judge where your case is pending to “refer” your case to “combat veterans” court.

Veterans’ Court

Third, if your case is allowed to go to veterans’ court then there will be a “case evaluation” performed by the “team” at veterans’ court. This team consists of the judge, the District Attorney, your lawyer, a representative from county mental health and the assigned probation officer.

There will be a complete review of the facts of your current criminal case and any prior criminal convictions on your record. The team will then review your “mental health history” to determine whether you are suffering from a “chronic and persistent mental illness”.

Then the team will confirm that you were actually in a “combat” setting during your time in the military.

If a decision is reached to allow you to enter the program there are many steps you must complete over a period of time. You will have to remain in therapy with a mental health professional. You must remain in counseling for any substance abuse issues that you may be suffering from. You must report regularly to your assigned probation officer. Lastly, you must appear in court before Judge Lindley on a regular basis.

However, if you successfully complete the program your reward is as good as it gets. The criminal charges will be dismissed, no jail time, no fine and no probation. Nothing!

Keep in mind that while the combat veterans’ court wants you to succeed, if you violate the rules of the court there are “immediate consequences” which include overnight visits to the jail. The good thing about veterans’ court is that if you violate there terms you are not given a lengthy jail sentence. The philosophy of veterans’ court is that they want you to succeed and they realize that lengthy jail sentences will interfere with the progress you are making.

California Criminal Lawyer

If you would like more information on combat veterans court and whether you might qualify call an criminal lawyer from Wallin and Klarich today at 877-4-NO-JAIL or 877-466-5245. We will be there when you call.