4/17/25
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Portland, OR- The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office is proud to announce the official launch of the Multnomah County Veterans Treatment Court (VTC), a specialized court designed to support justice-involved veterans through treatment, accountability, and community support.
Following two years of collaboration and planning, the VTC is now fully operational and actively accepting participants.
Air Force veteran Judge Christopher Ramras will preside over the court. Representing the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office is Deputy District Attorney Chris Huettemeyer, a 20-year U.S. Army veteran. Defense representation will be provided by attorneys from Metropolitan Public Defenders and Multnomah Defenders, Inc., both of whom have also shown strong support for the initiative.
Staffed by a team with deep ties to military service, the VTC is built on the belief that honoring the sacrifices of our veterans means ensuring they receive the resources and care they need. Court sessions will be held every other Thursday at 1:30 PM.
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. By offering treatment-focused supervision rather than incarceration, the VTC aims to break the cycle of reoffending and create lasting change.
“The goal is to help veterans change the behaviors that led to their involvement in the justice system,” said DDA Chris 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.”
Huettemeyer added:
“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.”
Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez echoed that sentiment:
“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. 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.”
The Multnomah County Veterans Treatment Court stands as a commitment to those who served, and a recognition that supporting their successful reintegration makes all of us safer and stronger.
#####MCDA######