Criminal Law
If you are a military veteran that needs
legal assistance in the area of criminal law, you
may contact one of the listed legal resources.
The Orange County Bar Association assumes no
responsibility for the legal service providers which
appear on this list.
 Orange
County Public Defender
The Public Defender staffs the Orange County
Superior Court's Veterans Court. Veterans Court
offers a therapeutic alternative and support services
to US military service personnel who become involved
with the criminal justice system, and who are in
need of effective mental health treatment to address
issues such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD),
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and other serious mental
health problems. The court may assess Public Defender
fees at the conclusion of the proceedings.
- Orange County
Department of Veteran Services
OC Veteran Service Center is located in Santa Ana
and assists veterans with claims, homelessness,
and access to state and federal healthcare and compensation
and pension benefits. The OC Veteran Service Center
also assist veterans with criminal and benefit matters
and can help veterans get in touch with the key
players at the VA Long Beach and the Orange County
Veteran Court. Under penal code 1170.9 veteran court
and alternative sentencing there is no longer a
combat requirement as of 2013.
Contact: 1-855-886-5400 then ask
for Veteran Service Department of Orange County.
They take appointments and walk in's M-F 9-4:30.
- Orange
County Military Diversion Program
California?s military diversion program, establishes a pretrial diversion program for current and former members of the U.S. military who are charged with a misdemeanor offense. Under Penal Code, section 1001.80, subdivision (a), the military diversion program applies to a defendant accused of a misdemeanor offense, who was or currently is a member of the United States military, and who may be suffering from sexual trauma, traumatic brain injury[TBI], post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD], substance abuse, or mental health problems as a result of his or her military service." If a defendant meets this criteria, the Court may place him or her into a pretrial diversion program.
- Legal
Aid Society of Orange County
The mission of Legal Aid Society of Orange County
and Community Legal Services in southeast Los Angeles
County is to provide civil legal services to low-income
individuals and to promote equal access to the justice
system through advocacy, legal counseling, innovative
self-help services, in-depth legal representation,
economic development and community education.
- The University of California, Irvine Criminal Law Clinic
The UCI Veterans Clinic connects members of the armed services in Southern California with meaningful legal services and educates the local community on veterans? issues. The clinic?s goal is to create a cohesive network of experienced providers of veterans services, making UCI Law one of the premiere institutions for veterans? benefits claims and discharge upgrades.
- CA
Courts - Collaborative Justice Courts (Veteran)
Veterans? courts are hybrid drug and mental health
courts that use the drug court model to serve veterans
struggling with addiction, serious mental illness
and/or co-occurring disorders. They promote sobriety,
recovery and stability through a coordinated response
that involves cooperation and collaboration with
the traditional partners found in drug and mental
health courts in addition of the U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs health care networks, the Veterans'
Benefits Administration, and, in some programs,
volunteer veteran mentors and veterans' family support
organizations.
- Los
Angeles County Public Defender
Veterans Court opened its doors on September
13, 2010. It is a pilot program designed to address
those charged with felony court cases who have served
honorably in the United States military. Veterans
Court is an alternative to state prison and joins
other alternative sentencing programs currently
under the administration of Judge Michael Tynan
in Department 642 at the Clara Shortridge Foltz
Criminal Justice Center. Veterans Court is a collaborative
effort between the Superior Court, District Attorney,
Public Defender, Alternate Public Defender and the
Department of Veterans Affairs (hereinafter the
VA). The court may accept cases from any court in
the County following an eligiblity and suitability
screening process.
- Los
Angeles County Bar Association - Veterans Project
LACBA's Veterans Project works to identify
and address opportunities to assist veterans, active
military personnel and reservists with their legal
needs. Since it was founded three years ago, the
Veterans Project has already helped resolve and
refer hundreds of matters on behalf of service men
and women. The Veterans Project's next initiative
is a new partnership between U.S. VETS and Los Angeles
County to add pro bono legal services at Patriotic
Hall in downtown Los Angeles. The program will initially
target veterans who are unemployed and at risk of
homelessness by offering legal services, clinics,
and self-help workshops in the areas of: Clearing
Outstanding Tickets and Warrants, Reinstating California
Driver Licenses and Expungements: Clearing Criminal
Record for Employment.
- Public
Counsel - Center for Veterans' Advancement
Public Counsel's Center for Veterans' Advancement
(CVA), a national leader in veteran's advocacy,
provides direct representation, or representation
through pro bono partners, to veterans and their
families. CVA provides legal representation at both
the local and national levels, and coordinates its
work with efforts underway to establish special
"Veterans' Courts" in Northern and Southern California
designed to meet the unique needs of returning veterans.
CVA also manages legal clinics, including one of
the largest pro bono advocacy programs in the United
States.
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