GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — The Gaston County District Attorney's Office is seeking solutions to some of the challenges veterans face.
Many veterans suffer from PTSD, which can lead them down a road of addiction and mental health challenges. Sometimes it can lead to them breaking the law.
The DA's office is working to solve this problem with the Veterans Treatment Court.
Inside the Gaston County Courthouse, twice a month, a courtroom is dedicated to military veterans. The court gives veterans a second chance and works to provide new beginnings for vets who have served the country.
“It is a new approach to court," Gaston County District Attorney Travis Page said.
After a veteran is arrested for a misdemeanor or non-violent crime, they're offered a bargain. Plead guilty, but instead of jail time, they're put on a path of rehabilitation.
“This isn’t a get out of jail free card," Gaston County District Judge Gus Anthony said. "You have to pass some skin in the game here."
“They’re finding housing, they’re finding employment, and that we're redirecting the path of their life to something more productive," Travis said.
The goal is to help veterans in the criminal justice system break the cycle of substance abuse, mental illness, and illegal activity because for some, returning home is harder than they imagined.
“I was very much alone," RaShina Carter, the Mentor Coordinator for the Veterans Treatment Court, said.
Carter is an army veteran with a combat deployment to Afghanistan. She suffered from PTSD and survivor guilt after she was supposed to be on a helicopter that was shot down.
“I have to believe there’s a reason, there was a reason," Carter said.
Her reason today is to help other veterans. She is one of several people from different organizations who work to connect vets to the right resources.
“They know they need the help, they just don’t know how to ask for it sometimes," Carter said.
Veterans who complete the Veterans’ Treatment Court will be able to get a dismissal of their charges upon graduation.
“We see the same names and faces come through our jail list a lot, repeat offenders," Page said. "By going after the root of the problem, hopefully, we can reduce future crime.”
Right now, there are between five and seven veterans in the program. It recently received funding to hire a court coordinator and court manager to guide the program.
The District Attorney's Office is also looking for mentors or any kind of support for the program.
Contact Lexi Wilson at lwilson@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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