Veterans Courts Offer Second Chance, Healing for Troubled Service Members
Nearly 750 specialized veterans treatment courts are now operating across 49 states, offering a lifeline to former service members struggling with addiction, mental health issues, and legal trouble, according to data from the Department of Veterans Affairs. These courts, born from a recognition of the unique challenges faced by those who have served, prioritize rehabilitation over incarceration, offering veterans a path to recovery and a renewed sense of purpose.
For Greg Pryer, a former Marine and New York City police officer who experienced the trauma of September 11, the Suffolk County Veterans Treatment Court in New York represented a crucial turning point. After decades of relying on alcohol as a coping mechanism, and a worsening habit following his 2015 retirement from the NYPD, Pryer found himself facing weapons and driving while intoxicated charges in 2019 and 2022. “I went from being a veteran and being in law enforcement, over 20 years of really having an obvious purpose, and retirement somewhat stripped me of my identity,” Pryer explained. “All I had, in a way, was my alcohol to deal with it.”
The existence of veterans courts offered Pryer an alternative to traditional prosecution. Established for eligible veterans, these courts connect service members with drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs and mental health counseling, potentially leading to reduced sentences or even dropped charges upon successful completion of treatment. “Yes, it’ll help out your legal situation, but it’s also a chance to work on yourself, whatever that underlying issue that brought you into the legal system to begin with,” Pryer said. “It’s really a blessing that the court picked me up.”
The concept originated in 2008 with the first specialized veterans court in Buffalo, New York. Two years later, Judge John Toomey, a Vietnam War combat veteran, spearheaded the creation of the Suffolk County Veterans Treatment Court, collaborating with the district attorney’s office, the local VA health care system, and a dedicated group of volunteers known as the Green Jackets. Toomey intentionally fostered an informal atmosphere, foregoing a robe, addressing defendants by name, and even sharing his personal phone number with those in the program. “You had to put your trust that this is going to work out, and that this (person) is going to do the right thing,” Toomey said.
The court handles a wide range of offenses, from driving while intoxicated and drug charges to robbery and weapons possession. Prosecutors employ a screening process to determine which veterans are best suited for the program, evaluating their criminal and combat history, according to a spokesperson for the DA’s office. Once accepted, veterans participate in tailored rehabilitation programs, often administered by the VA, with progress regularly monitored by the presiding judge.
Judge Pierce F. Cohalan, an Army reservist, took over from Toomey in 2018 and continues the tradition of a personalized, informal approach. He emphasizes progress over perfection, allowing participants to re-enter the program even after setbacks. Pryer, for instance, re-entered the program after a second arrest on weapons charges. He was sentenced to three years of probation in April after successfully completing the court’s requirements, a court system spokesperson confirmed. “A number of participants misstep,” Cohalan said. “We’re here to catch them or to pick them up, and to keep them moving forward.”
Navigating the complexities of recovery – sobriety, court appearances, therapy, and legal proceedings – can be daunting. This is where the Green Jackets step in. Composed primarily of Vietnam veterans, this volunteer group provides mentorship and guidance to those navigating the system. “The more they can talk to us about their issues, the more they get it off their chest, the more they can start to see answers,” explained Grace Mehl, a 20-year Navy veteran and Green Jacket volunteer.
The impact of the program is powerfully illustrated by the story of “Melissa,” a veteran who requested anonymity. Two years ago, she was facing an order of protection, wearing an ankle monitor, and struggling with drug use, with her family estranged. After her arrest for violating the protection order, she reluctantly entered veterans court. “When she first came, she was a piece of work. She was just all over the place,” Mehl recalled. With the support of the Green Jackets, Melissa found a path to recovery. As of November, she had been sober for two years and reconnected with her mother, speaking with her daily. “They just directed me toward where I was supposed to be. And step by step, they opened doors for me,” Melissa said.
The Suffolk County Veterans Treatment Court boasts a 90% success rate, according to Judge Cohalan, a testament to the power of camaraderie and a shared understanding of the challenges faced by those who have served. Frank D’Aversa, a founding member of the Green Jackets, attributes the program’s success to a commitment to ensuring that no generation of veterans is left behind. “Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another,” D’Aversa said.
Pryer, mentored by D’Aversa, has now been invited to join the ranks of the Green Jackets, offering him the opportunity to pay forward the support he received. “I am honored to do it today,” he said, embodying the program’s core mission: to help fellow veterans navigate a path toward healing and a brighter future.
