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    November 10, 2025

    How Public Defenders Can Be Better Advocates For Veterans

    Written by Corey Smith

    In recognition of Veterans Day, below are insights from NAPD’s own Wellbeing Resource Coordinator and military veteran, Corey Smith, on how to better identify and advocate for veterans in your public defense practice.

    Why It Matters

    Because the representation of veterans in the US frequently involves unique circumstances that become missed advocacy opportunities when it goes unacknowledged! There can be unique trauma history to be aware of, unique sources for records, unique and potentially undiagnosed medical conditions, unique resources and supports, and even unique legal interventions. 

    Public defenders can advocate for veterans by identifying military service early, screening for service-connected conditions like PTSD or TBI, and tailoring defense strategies that account for those experiences. They can connect clients to VA resources—especially Veterans Justice Outreach specialists—and fight for placements in Veterans Treatment Courts or other diversion programs so veterans can access treatment, stabilize benefits, and resolve cases with dignity and due-process protections. I know this because I am both a veteran and a public defender.

    What We Can Do For Veterans

    Below is a non-exhaustive list of ideas you might incorporate into your public defense practice to better identify veterans amongst your clients, become a better advocate, and encourage others in your office to elevate their practice too!

    • Identify service early. Ask every client about military service at intake; note branch, era, discharge, deployments, and combat exposure.
    • Screen for service-connected needs. PTSD, TBI, MST, substance use disorders, chronic pain, and related conditions.
    • Gather records (with consent). DD-214, service treatment records, VA ratings/benefits, medical and behavioral-health history.
    • Connect to VA & community care. Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO), VA health/mental health, HUD-VASH, SSVF, peer supports.
    • Pursue veteran-specific diversion. Veterans Treatment Courts or veteran tracks; problem-solving dockets when appropriate.
    • Mitigation & sentencing advocacy. Present military history and clinical context; propose treatment-focused alternatives.
    • Stabilize benefits. Coordinate to protect or reinstate VA benefits and healthcare access during the pendency of the case.
    • Plan for reentry. Warm hand-offs to providers; continuity of meds, housing, counseling, and supervision conditions.
    • Train your team. Ongoing military-culture competence and trauma-informed practice for attorneys and staff.