It's Almost Been A Year Since Warren County Common Pleas Veterans Honor Court Receives National Recognition as Mentor Court

LEBANON, OH -- It was almost a year ago, February 24, 2025, that The Warren County Common Pleas Veterans Honor Court has been named one of just five national mentor courts by All Rise’s Justice for Vets division and the U.S. Department of Justice.

The program received an award marking the distinction during the All Rise Conference in Kissimmee Florida, which was held May 28-31, 2025.

National mentor courts are exemplary veterans’ treatment courts selected to serve a three-year term as model programs to assist new or growing courts. These top-tier programs play a significant role in national training, technical assistance, media, and research efforts.

As part of the mentor court network for 2025-2027, the Warren County Veterans Honor Courthas been helping to provide guidance and technical assistance to jurisdictions interested in implementing a veterans treatment court, including hosting site visits and one-on-one professional shadowing for team members from other jurisdictions around the country.

“It is a great honor to recognize this court as one of only five mentor courts in the country,” said Justice for Vets director Scott Tirocchi. “This program is a shining example of serving those who have served us and ensuring that our military veterans and service members receive the treatment and benefits they have earned. As a mentor court, this program is helping to lead veterans who might otherwise be incarcerated into lives of recovery and hope.”

There are now more than 4,000 treatment courts nationwide, including more than 500 veterans’ treatment courts. These programs are considered the most effective intervention in the justice system for reducing crime and substance use while saving millions of taxpayer dollars compared to the cost of incarceration.

The Warren County Veterans Honor court was established in 2018, under the leadership of the Honorable Timothy N. Tepe. Since the program’s inception, they have had a total of 55 successful graduates. The program has over 20 community partners that provide tailored support and treatment programs specific to the needs of veterans addressing issues like PTSD, substance abuse and mental health challenges. By focusing on treatment and rehabilitation, a Veterans Court can help reduce the likelihood of repeat offenses, helping veterans reintegrate into society.

“I have always been passionate about Veterans. Our Veterans Honor Court surrounds our justice involved veterans with services and support to assist them in regaining their honor,” said Tepe. “We have put together a tremendous treatment team and community partners to serve our veterans. Their service to our country has earned them this opportunity.”

All Rise’s mentor court network is supported by the Bureau of Justice Assistance within the Office of Justice Programs at the U.S. Department of Justice. To learn more, visit https://allrise.org/veteran-mentor-courts/.

About All Rise

All Rise is the training, membership, and advocacy organization for justice system innovation addressing substance use and mental health at every intercept point. We believe every stage of the justice system, from first contact with law enforcement to corrections and reentry, has a role in improving treatment outcomes for justice-involved individuals. Through our four divisions—the Treatment Court Institute, Impaired Driving Solutions, Justice for Vets, and the Center for Advancing Justice—All Rise provides training and technical assistance at the local, state, and national level, advocates for funding, and collaborates with public and private entities. All Rise works in every U.S. state and territory and in countries throughout the world. All Rise was founded in 1994 as the National Association of Drug Court Professionals and is a 501(c)3 nonprofit.

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