DALLAS — October 11, 2026 — Dallas County District Attorney candidate Eric Reed today called for a coordinated countywide response to veterans facing homelessness, substance-use disorders, mental illness and involvement in the criminal justice system.
As a veteran, Reed said he understands that military service can leave wounds that are not always visible. Post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injuries, chronic pain, addiction and difficulty returning to civilian life can destabilize employment, housing and families. When those problems go untreated, veterans may enter the justice system through a crisis that could have been addressed earlier.
“A veteran should not have to reach the bottom of a jail cell before Dallas County recognizes the wounds of military service,” Reed said. “Those who served this country deserve more than gratitude at ceremonies. They deserve a justice system capable of recognizing a crisis, responding effectively and connecting them with help before their lives collapse.”
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 32,495 veterans were experiencing homelessness during the January 2025 national Point-in-Time Count. More than 13,500 were living without shelter.
Dallas County already operates a Veterans Court Program, which can connect eligible veterans with treatment, supervision and support. Reed said the county should build on that foundation by identifying veterans earlier and improving coordination among prosecutors, defense attorneys, courts, law enforcement, the Department of Veterans Affairs, Dallas County Veteran Services and community providers.
Reed’s approach would include:
• Identifying veterans early. Prosecutors should determine at the beginning of a case whether an accused person has served in the military and whether a service-related condition may have contributed to the alleged conduct.
• Expanding coordinated intervention. Eligible veterans should be considered promptly for Veterans Court, treatment, housing assistance and other structured programs when those options are consistent with public safety.
• Creating direct referral pathways. The District Attorney’s Office should maintain clear procedures for connecting veterans with mental-health care, substance-use treatment, benefits assistance, housing support and employment services.
• Measuring results. Dallas County should publish participation, completion and recidivism data so taxpayers can determine whether veteran-focused programs are working.
• Preserving accountability. Veteran status should never excuse violence or erase responsibility. Charging decisions and release recommendations must consider the evidence, victim safety and the risk posed to the community.
“Military service is not a free pass, and accountability still matters,” Reed said. “But accountability does not require ignoring post-traumatic stress, brain injuries, addiction or homelessness when those conditions are driving a veteran deeper into the justice system. The right intervention can hold someone responsible while preventing another offense.”
Reed said prosecutors occupy a critical position because their charging decisions, plea recommendations and participation in specialty courts can determine whether an eligible veteran receives structured treatment or simply cycles through jail without addressing the underlying problem.
“Putting a veteran back on the street without treatment, housing or a plan is not compassion, and it is not public safety,” Reed said. “Dallas County needs a system that intervenes early, demands accountability and gives veterans a realistic path back to stability.”
The most recent national count shows that veteran homelessness has declined by more than half since 2010, demonstrating that coordinated housing and supportive services can produce measurable results. Reed said Dallas County should apply that same focus to veterans at risk of entering or returning to the criminal justice system.
“Veterans were trained never to leave anyone behind,” Reed said. “Dallas County should operate by that same principle. When a veteran is struggling, the response should begin before homelessness becomes an arrest and before an arrest becomes a life sentence of instability.”
Veterans who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness may contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838. Veterans experiencing a mental-health or suicidal crisis may call 988 and press 1.
About Eric Reed for District Attorney:
Eric Reed is a Dallas trial attorney, former prosecutor and veteran with more than three decades of experience in criminal law, federal and tribal courts, military courts and complex litigation. He is running as a write-in candidate for Dallas County District Attorney on a commitment to Promote Public Safety • Demand Fairness • Ensure Accountability.
To vote for Eric Reed, select the write-in option in the Dallas County District Attorney race and enter the name Eric Reed.
For more information, visit WriteinReed.com.
Media Contact: media@writeinreed.com