WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) - Veterans in Sedgwick County who get in trouble with the law will now get a second chance through what's called the Veterans Treatment Court Program.

Many veterans suffer from mental health issues like PTSD. So instead of serving time behind bars for non-violent crimes, they can serve time in treatment instead.

"There's quite a few of them we see. Always running around, especially with the homeless and stuff too. Just working with them, trying to say hey here's a program here,” said Don Lobmeyer, VFW Post Commander 112.

Lobmeyer sees it all the time. Veterans who are struggling from PTSD or other mental health problems after serving in the Military.

"There's a lot of issues, mental other things that happen with our veterans that cause the consequences of doing something they shouldn't be doing,” said Lobmeyer.

That's why Sedgwick County has started what's called the Veterans Treatment Court Program to help keep them out of prison.

"They have sacrificed their lives, their time, their family's time. And they've fallen on hard times,” said Saundra Haas, Veterans Treatment Court Coordinator.

To qualify a vet must live in Sedgwick County, be honorably discharged from the military, be convicted of a felony resulting from a mental health or substance abuse disorder, and agree to 18 months of probation.

"The overall goal is to assist men and women veterans that are caught up in the criminal justice system. It is our job to work with them and help with them to provide support services to keep them in the community with their families,” said Haas.

Instead of being sent to prison, the veterans would get mental health or drug abuse intervention, and help to get them back on the right track.

Veterans wouldn't qualify if they are convicted of serious felonies, domestic violence, a drive-by shooting, or a felony sex offense.