Bexar County Veterans Treatment Court Celebrates Milestones and Seeks New Magistrate Support

The Bexar County Commissioners Court held a work session on August 26, 2025, focusing on the operations and needs of the Veterans Treatment Court and the Civil District Courts.

The session began with a presentation on the Veterans Treatment Court, which has seen significant participation, with 210 veterans enrolled in the past year. This court is noted as the largest county specialty court in Bexar County and one of the largest in Texas. The judges emphasized the complexity of managing multiple dockets, including mental health and substance use cases, and the need for additional magistrate support to handle the increasing workload.

Judge Sakai highlighted the importance of stability in judicial leadership, noting that turnover can negatively impact program participants. He requested the appointment of an associate judge to ensure continuity and effective management of the court's operations. The Veterans Treatment Court recently celebrated its 15th anniversary and its 1,000th graduate, underscoring its success and the need for ongoing support.

Following this, the discussion shifted to the Civil District Courts, where Ryan Anderson presented a request to modify a court specialist position to a senior court specialist role. This change aims to enhance accountability and efficiency within the court system, particularly in compiling data for reporting to state authorities. The proposed adjustment would incur a modest cost increase to the county budget but is seen as a necessary investment to improve court operations.

The meeting concluded with a commitment from the commissioners to further assess the requests and clarify any outstanding issues related to staffing and budget implications. Overall, the session underscored the ongoing efforts to enhance judicial services in Bexar County, particularly for veterans and civil court operations.