'Pathway to healing': Multnomah County launches veterans' court

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Multnomah County launched a new specialty court on Thursday, aiming to provide accountability and support for military veterans, the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office announced.

The Veterans Treatment Court is now accepting participants, with Air Force veteran Judge Christopher Ramras presiding over the court.

Deputy District Attorney Chris Huettemeyer, a 20-year U.S. Army Veteran, will represent the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, officials said, noting defense representation will be provided by Metropolitan Public Defenders and Multnomah Defenders, Inc.

According to the District Attorney's Office, all VTC staffers have ties to the military.

“The Veterans Treatment Court is grounded in the philosophy that public safety is best served by addressing the root causes of criminal behavior among qualifying veterans— particularly untreated trauma, substance use disorders, and mental health challenges,” The District Attorney’s Office said.

VTC will offer treatment-focused supervision as opposed to incarceration, aiming to break cycles of reoffending.

“The goal is to help veterans change the behaviors that led to their involvement in the justice system,” said Huettemeyer. “This program gives them the structure and support they need to address mental health and substance use issues, while holding them accountable in a meaningful way. It’s a way of turning ‘thank you for your service’ into real action.”

“I’m very excited to be part of this Veterans Treatment Court. I did 20 years in the Army as a helicopter pilot and deployed four times. This program honors our victims, improves public safety, and gives our veterans a chance to address the issues that brought them here. The collaborative nature of this court—between prosecutors, defense attorneys, the judge, and service providers—is what will make it successful,” the deputy district attorney added.

Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez lauded the new support for veterans.

“In my 25 years as a prosecutor, I’ve seen many cases involving veterans where I knew services were out there—I just wished we had a way to connect them,” Vasquez said. “This court makes that connection. It’s about more than accountability; it’s about building a pathway to healing, both for the individual and for our community.”