The Milwaukee County court meets once a week. The judge, court coordinator, attorneys and others will confer for a few hours in the morning before the Veterans appear before the judge.

When they do, there is an amiable, if no-nonsense, atmosphere. While not as rigid and impersonal as typical court proceedings, it is still a court, and defendants must answer to the attorneys and judge.

But one of the advantages of Veterans Treatment Court is its more personal connections, as the judge interacts with the Veterans numerous times as they progress through the program.

“The most rewarding aspects of this type of program is being able to truly get to know the defendants,” said Judge Cynthia Davis, who oversees Milwaukee County’s Veterans Treatment Court. “You get to develop that connection. It’s something as a judge that is very fair.

MM, who has been in VTC for about two years, appears confident, if a little frazzled, as he faces Judge Davis.

He says his job has become more demanding and a new baby is straining his family life as well.

“It can get a little emotional at times. Sometimes I feel helpless but I’m working through that. A new program at VA is helping me tackle the stress and grief.”

Davis tells MM she’s impressed with the progress he’s made. Her only concern is some missed drug tests. MM is contrite, saying it is sometimes difficult to get to a testing site in time.

“I feel ashamed about those misses. I didn’t miss on purpose. I will have to adapt and adjust.” Davis offers a vote of confidence by setting a graduation date three months hence for MM, as long as he sticks to the plan.

“I’m very concerned about what’s going on the last 2½ weeks,” Davis says. “I think there are a lot of details you’re leaving out. To be frank with you, if these were normal times, you’d probably be serving a sanction right now.”