Veterans Court
Veterans Court
Veterans Court is an initiative in the Seventh Judicial Circuit designed to address the distinctive needs of veterans in the criminal justice system.
Military service instills discipline, resilience, and commitment through rigorous physical and mental training. Veterans are taught to endure hardship, follow orders, and uphold values such as duty, honor, and patriotism. While these qualities are admirable, the experience of military service—especially for those exposed to combat or high-stress environments—can leave lasting emotional and psychological impacts.
Many veterans face challenges such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), substance use disorders, mental health conditions, and even suicidal ideations. These difficulties, combined with the complex transition from military to civilian life, can place veterans at increased risk of entering the justice system.
Recognizing these concerns, the nation’s first Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) was established in Buffalo, New York, in 2008.Since then, similar courts have been implemented across the country, including several in Florida.
Veterans Courts use a positive, authoritative approach to help veterans resolve legal matters while connecting them to services they have earned. These include medical care, mental health and substance use treatment, and support with housing, employment, and daily needs through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Eligibility
Veterans Court is available to individuals who:
- Have served in the U.S. Armed Forces (including Reserves or National Guard),
- Or were Department of Defense contractors,
- Or served in a foreign allied military.
Veterans Court eligibility also requires service verification, a review of criminal history, and an eligible offense.
Presiding Judges
Judge Bryan Feigenbaum – Volusia County(East Volusia / Daytona Beach)
Judge Howard O. McGillin, Jr. – Putnam and St. Johns Counties (St. Augustine / Palatka)
Judge Robert Sanders Jr. – Volusia County(West Volusia / DeLand)
Court Documents & Resources
Hearing Schedules & Flyers- 2025 Veterans Court flyer for Volusia County
- 2025 Veterans Treatment Court flyer for Putnam and St. Johns Counties
- Putnam and St. Johns Counties Veterans Court Manual
Veterans’ resources through your county’s Veterans Services Office:
Contact Information
About “Judge David B. Beck Veterans Court”
The Volusia County court was dedicated in May 2017 as the “Judge David B. Beck Veterans Court ”to honor the judge who founded the court in November 2013. Judge Beck served in the U.S. Army in the 1970s, attaining the rank of first lieutenant. As a judge, he recognized the need for a veterans-focused problem-solving court. He served as a Volusia County Court Judge and as a Circuit Judge until retiring in 2014. 
