Veteran’s Court Changes the Lives of Probation Clients
What started as just some fun on the weekend spiraled into a battle with addiction lasting over 20 years. Rangel is a U.S. Veteran who successfully completed her probation through Veteran’s Treatment Court and turned her life around.
Rangel’s struggle with addiction began in 1997. After leaving the military, she became a heavy drinker and turned to meth as a means to cope with hangovers. For her, drugs were “a weekend thing,” but eventually it became a lifestyle she couldn’t get away from.
In 2004, Rangel was arrested after getting a DUI. She served her time on parole and then in 2006 went to prison. For the next 13 years, Rangel was in and out of custody. Her life became a cycle of getting sober, relapsing, and then getting arrested.
However, after Congress passed the Veterans Treatment Court Coordination Act of 2019, Rangel and other Veterans were given the opportunity to join Veterans Treatment Court, an alternative sentencing program with rehab and counseling treatment. Deputy Probation Officer, Jared Kerrigan is a Veteran himself and is assigned to supervise individuals in the Veteran’s Court program. Officer Kerrigan provides Veterans with the resources, mentorship, and support needed to change their lives for the better.
“Veterans Court was the best thing that could happen to me,” Rangel said. “It gave me guidance and structure so that I could be productive; It changed my life.” While in Veteran’s Court, Rangel was able to focus on her addiction and substance use issues.
“Since I’ve been sober, I’ve been so productive, and I’ve been getting things done I otherwise wouldn’t have had the chance to do.”
Conception rangel
U.S. Veteran

Rangel was beginning to see a change within herself. She no longer felt tied down by drugs and alcohol and was beginning to repair her past relationships. However, after a year in the program, she unfortunately relapsed and landed herself back in jail.
For Rangel this relapse was different. She realized how much her life changed for the better. Although it was a setback, she did not want to quit on her journey to sobriety.
“When I got back out of jail, I told myself, ‘I just needed to pick up where I left off.’” Rangel said. “Kerrigan encouraged me so much and let me know not everything was lost.” Veteran’s Court gave Rangel one more chance to be in the program; she took the opportunity and ran with it.
Upon her release in 2020, Rangel spent three months at New Visions, a residential women’s recovery program hosted by Central Valley Recovery Services (CVRS). At New Visions, Rangel listened to success stories and encouragement from other women in similar positions.
“I learned self-care and hearing other people’s stories is important to my recovery,” Rangel said. “The person must want to get sober. It might not happen the first or second time, but you have to want it for yourself.”
After 3 months at New Visions, Rangel and Officer Kerrigan worked together to figure out next steps. Rangel felt like she was at a crossroads. “Although I lived in a sober home environment, the people who lived in my community weren’t always a positive influence,” Rangel said.
With the help of Tulare County Probation Department, Rangel got into a 9-month program at a sober living home. During this time, Rangel was a participant in the ECO Project, expanding her job skills, knowledge of personal financing and assisting with Visalia’s environmental needs by engaging in litter abatement projects.
Rangel also kept herself busy working part-time and volunteering with New Visions. Her hard work landed her an internship with CSET and in February 2022, Rangel was offered a Full-time position with Central Valley Recovery Services as a Drug and Alcohol Counselor.
“I’ve been thinking of all the years I’ve wasted,” Rangel said. “Since I’ve been sober, I’ve been so productive, and I’ve been getting things done. It’s amazing; this job just fell into my lap.”
Rangel is grateful for the opportunity she was given through Veteran’s Court to get treatment and make valuable connections that led her to a full-time job. She uses her story to continue to support and mentor others who might be in similar situations.
“I strongly advise anyone going through addiction issues to get help and if they can go through Veteran’s Court it will change your life.”
Rangel has been drug-free for two years and completed her probation earlier this year. She continues to take it one day at a time. Her story is an inspiration to her clients and those struggling through addiction.