Texas Veterans Treatment Courts

Overview

Texas is a national leader in veterans treatment courts, with over 30 operating across the state. Established under Texas Government Code Chapter 124, these courts provide an alternative to traditional criminal prosecution for veterans whose offenses are connected to military service-related conditions such as PTSD, traumatic brain injury, substance abuse, or military sexual trauma.

Veterans treatment courts combine judicial supervision with VA treatment, mentoring from fellow veterans, and supportive services. Successful completion can result in dismissed charges, reduced sentences, or expunged records depending on the jurisdiction.

Major Texas Veterans Courts

• Harris County (Houston) — one of the largest veterans treatment courts in the nation
• Bexar County (San Antonio) — pioneering veterans court with comprehensive services
• Dallas County — serving North Texas veterans with integrated VA partnerships
• Tarrant County (Fort Worth) — robust program with high graduation rates
• Travis County (Austin) — serving Central Texas veterans
• El Paso County — serving veterans near Fort Bliss

Eligibility

Generally, veterans treatment courts in Texas accept veterans and active-duty service members charged with misdemeanors or certain non-violent felonies who have a military service-related mental health condition or substance use disorder. Each court sets its own specific eligibility criteria. Contact the court in your county or ask your attorney about referral.

Free Legal Assistance

Texas RioGrande Legal Aid — Veterans Project

Texas RioGrande Legal Aid provides free civil legal services to low-income veterans across South and West Texas. Services include assistance with VA benefits appeals, discharge upgrades, family law, housing disputes, consumer protection, and public benefits. Contact (956) 996-8752 or visit trla.org.

Lone Star Legal Aid

Serving veterans in East and Southeast Texas, Lone Star Legal Aid provides free civil legal representation for income-eligible veterans in areas including housing, family law, consumer rights, and benefits appeals. Call 1-800-733-8394 for intake.

Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans

Organized by the State Bar of Texas, this pro bono program connects veterans with volunteer attorneys who provide free legal assistance on civil matters including family law, landlord-tenant disputes, consumer issues, wills and estates, and benefits claims. Contact the State Bar of Texas referral line at (800) 252-9690.

Texas Veterans Legal Aid Clinics

Several Texas law schools, including the University of Texas, South Texas College of Law Houston, and Texas Tech University, operate legal clinics providing free legal services to veterans. These clinics handle discharge upgrades, VA benefits appeals, family law matters, and other civil legal issues.

Military Discharge Upgrades

Veterans with less-than-honorable discharges may petition their branch's Discharge Review Board or Board for Correction of Military Records for an upgrade. A discharge upgrade can restore eligibility for VA benefits, GI Bill, and other veteran programs. Texas legal aid organizations and law school clinics can provide free assistance with discharge upgrade petitions.

The Department of Defense has issued liberal consideration guidance for discharge upgrades related to PTSD, TBI, MST, and sexual orientation. Contact the Texas Veterans Commission or a legal aid organization for referral to a discharge upgrade attorney.

Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA)

The SCRA provides federal protections for active-duty service members including interest rate caps at 6% on pre-service debts, protection from eviction, the right to terminate certain leases and contracts, and a stay of civil court proceedings. Texas also has state-level military protections under the Texas Military Forces Code covering employment, housing, and family law matters for deployed service members.

Family Law & Custody

Texas family law provides specific protections for military families. Military parents cannot be penalized in custody proceedings solely because of deployment or military service. Texas courts can issue temporary custody orders during deployment that revert when the service member returns. Free legal assistance for military family law issues is available through legal aid organizations and military legal assistance offices at Texas bases.