What Charges Does the Program Cover?
The program is principally designed for misdemeanor cases. The most common charge types that come through the Veterans Treatment Court include:
- DUI (driving under the influence), one of the most frequently charged offenses among veteran defendants. A first-offense DUI in Rhode Island carries potential penalties including fines, license suspension, possible jail time, and mandatory alcohol education. The Veterans Treatment Court offers an alternative path.
- Simple assault and battery. A misdemeanor assault charge can carry up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $1,000 under Rhode Island law. Domestic violence-related assault charges carry additional consequences.
- Drug possession and related misdemeanor substance offenses.
- Disorderly conduct and related lower-level misdemeanor offenses.
Felony charges are outside the scope of the Veterans Treatment Court. However, if you are a veteran charged with a felony in Rhode Island, separate alternatives are worth exploring, including the Superior Court Adult Diversion Program and the deferred sentencing process. Attorney Humphrey can evaluate your options across all of these criminal case tracks.
If you are unsure whether your charges qualify, please call (401) 441-5486 and let Attorney Humphrey review the specific charges with you.
How the Program Works - from Referral to Resolution
The step by step process is as follows:
1. Arraignment. Your case starts normally. You are arraigned at the District Court division covering the city or town where the alleged offense occurred. There are four District Court divisions in Rhode Island: the Second Division in Newport, the Third Division in Kent County (Warwick), the Fourth Division in Washington County (Wakefield), and the Sixth Division covering Providence and Bristol Counties.
2. Referral to Pretrial Services. You, your attorney, law enforcement, or even the judge can refer the case for screening. The Veterans Treatment Court is contacted by Pretrial Services. Your attorney handles the referral and prepares the presentation.
3. Screening interview. A clinician or social worker at Pretrial Services reviews your service history, your diagnosis or clinical situation, and your charges. If you are accepted and you consent to participate, the case is transferred to the Veterans Treatment Court at Kent County District Court.
4. Program participation. You comply with a court-supervised treatment plan tailored to your needs. This may include services through the Veterans Mentor Program, Veterans Justice Outreach, VA treatment providers, and regular court review dates. Roughly 20 volunteer veteran mentors work with participants through the program.
5. Program length. The timeline is individualized. Typical completion runs between 9 and 18 months depending on your treatment needs and progress. The program is demanding, but the trade-off is significant: a clean criminal record, dismissal of the charges and a real chance at lasting recovery.
6. Case resolution. On successful completion, your defense attorney and the prosecution reach an agreement on how to resolve your case. Common outcomes include dismissal of the charges or a reduction to a lesser offense. The program typically has approximately 90 active participants at any given time, and the court holds a monthly graduation ceremony.
7. What if I do not complete the program? If you fail to meet the program's requirements, the case returns to regular criminal proceedings. That is one more reason to choose an attorney who will help you stay on track to a successful completion.
What Happens to Your Criminal Record After Successful Completion?
This is often the question that matters most. A favorable resolution through the Veterans Treatment Court does not automatically seal your record, but it opens the door to doing so.
If your case is dismissed upon completion, you may qualify to have the record sealed, meaning removed from public view. If your case is resolved through a filing sentencing arrangement, Rhode Island's filing process allows the court to impose no immediate sentence following a plea, with the sentence filed for a period while you comply with agreed upon conditions. On successful completion of the filing, you become immediately eligible to petition for expungement.
Expungement in Rhode Island is not automatic. You file a motion, the court holds a hearing, and the judge considers whether you have complied with all conditions and are not facing any pending criminal matters. The standard for granting expungement also bars anyone convicted of a crime of violence from eligibility.
Attorney Humphrey handles expungements as a regular part of his practice. If your veterans court case ends in a way that makes expungement possible, he can walk you through that process as well. The goal is not just to get through the criminal case; it is to leave you in the best possible position going forward.
Why You Want an Experienced Rhode Island Defense Attorney for Your Case
The Veterans Treatment Court is not a guaranteed outcome. It is a negotiated process, and the skill of your attorney shapes what you can realistically achieve at every stage.
Attorney Robert H. Humphrey has spent more than 35 years practicing criminal defense in Rhode Island. Besides his private practice, he has served as a prosecutor, a Bail Commissioner, and a Municipal Court Judge. He authored "Drunk Driving: Detection, Prosecution, and Defense," which serves as Rhode Island's DUI practice manual and was updated in 2026. He has written 20 articles on alcohol-related and criminal offenses for the Rhode Island Bar Journal and lectures regularly at Rhode Island Bar Association continuing education programs.
His experience on both sides of the courtroom, and specifically with DUI and misdemeanor charges in Rhode Island's District Courts, lines up directly with what the Veterans Treatment Court demands. DUI is among the most common charges veterans face in this program. Knowing how prosecutors evaluate those cases, how judges run their calendars, and how the District Court process works across Newport, Providence, Kent, and Washington counties gives Attorney Humphrey's clients a concrete advantage.
He serves clients statewide, including Newport, Tiverton, Portsmouth, Middletown, Providence, Warwick, North Kingstown, South Kingstown, Narragansett, Barrington, Bristol, Coventry, and the surrounding areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a lawyer to apply for the Veterans Treatment Court?
You are not legally required to have one, but you should. The screening interview, the referral, the negotiation with the prosecution, and the final case resolution all benefit from experienced legal representation. Prosecutors are not obligated to agree to any particular outcome, and the terms of your completion agreement will affect what happens to your criminal record.
Does the program only cover charges from the Kent County District Court?
No. Although the Veterans Treatment Court is physically located at the Kent County District Court in Warwick, cases originating in any Rhode Island District Court division can be transferred there if you are accepted into the program.
Is participation mandatory if I qualify?
No. Participation is completely voluntary. You must consent to enter the program.
What if I am charged with a felony?
Felony charges are not handled by the Veterans Treatment Court. If you are a veteran facing felony charges in Rhode Island, separate alternatives exist, including Superior Court diversion and deferred sentencing programs. Attorney Humphrey can review your specific situation and identify which options apply to you.
Will completing the program guarantee my charges are dismissed?
No. Rhode Island law is clear on this point: the Veterans Treatment Court statute does not create a right to dismissal. The outcome is reached by agreement between your attorney and the prosecution following successful completion. Skilled legal representation improves the outcome and often results in dismissal of the charges.
How long does the program take?
The program is individualized. Based on information from the Rhode Island Attorney General's office, typical completion runs between 9 and 18 months. The length depends on your treatment needs and your progress.
Can I expunge my record after completing the program?
In many cases, yes. Successful completion through dismissal or a filing sentencing arrangement can make you eligible to petition for a sealing or expungement. The process requires a court hearing. Attorney Humphrey handles expungements and can advise you on whether and when you are eligible after your case concludes.
What is the TAMAR Program?
TAMAR stands for Trauma, Addiction, Mental Health, and Recovery. It is one of the treatment components available through the Veterans Treatment Court for participants dealing with co-occurring trauma and substance abuse issues.
Talk to Attorney Humphrey About Your Case
If you or someone in your family is a veteran or active-duty service member facing criminal charges in Rhode Island, the Veterans Treatment Court may be an option worth pursuing. Whether your charges involve DUI, assault, drug possession, or another misdemeanor, Attorney Humphrey can review your situation and tell you honestly whether the program is a realistic path and what you can expect.
Call 401-441-5486 to reach Attorney Humphrey directly, or submit the consultation form on this page. There is no obligation. The sooner you reach out, the more options you preserve.
The Law Offices of Robert H. Humphrey represents clients throughout Rhode Island, with a focus on DUI and criminal defense in all four District Court divisions and Superior Courts.
Contact Law Offices of Robert H. Humphrey at (401) 441-5486 to schedule your complimentary case review with our Rhode Island lawyers.
