What is the Veterans Treatment Court for veterans?
Gonzalez, however, was on active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps when he was arrested in 2012, and thus eligible for an alternative: a veterans treatment court that helps service members charged with misdemeanors and some felonies avoid incarceration, if the crime is related to a mental health issue or drug dependency.
How many counties have opened Vet courts?
Only about 500 counties have opened vet courts since the first ones in 2008. The Marshall Project contacted 35 courts in counties with large concentrations of veterans and found that few see more than a couple dozen cases a year.
Why are there so few veterans courts in the US?
While almost all of the more than 3,000 counties in the U.S. have established specialized courts for drug addicts and the mentally ill, veterans courts have languished because of a lack of financial support, reliance on volunteer judges and low usage. Only about 500 counties have opened vet courts since the first ones in 2008.
How many veterans cases are tried in Iowa courts each year?
The Marshall Project contacted 35 courts in counties with large concentrations of veterans and found that few see more than a couple dozen cases a year. One Iowa veterans court has tried 10 cases since 2015.
Does Florida have veterans court?
As of February 2021, Florida has 31 veterans courts in operation. The components of veterans courts, from The Ten Key Components of Veterans Treatment Court, Justice for Vets (a division of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals):
How many veterans treatment courts are in Texas?
11 active veterans courtBy statute, counties must notify the Gover- nor's Office Criminal Justice Division (CJD) upon implementa- tion of a veterans court program. To date, according to the CJD, there are 11 active veterans court programs in Texas (p. 618).
How is the veterans treatment court process different from the typical court process?
The veterans treatment court model requires regular court appearances, as well as mandatory attendance at treatment sessions, and frequent and random testing for drug and alcohol use. Veterans respond favorably to this structured environment, given their past experiences in the Armed Forces.
Does Virginia have a Veterans Court?
Virginia has three VA medical clinics, five Vet Centers, and 19 community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs). Veterans Treatment Court 2019 Statewide Strategic Planning Initiative | In 2019, BJA funded the Center to develop and implement statewide strategic plans for veterans treatment courts in five states.
How do veterans treatment courts work?
Veterans Treatment Courts seek to treat veterans suffering from a substance abuse and/or mental health disorder, while helping ensure public safety. These special courts combine rigorous treatment and personal accountability, with the goal of breaking the cycle of drug use and criminal behavior.
What is Veterans Court AZ?
Veterans Court is a collaborative process that includes the prosecutor , defense counsel , judge, the Department of Veteran Affairs and other community based support organizations. The goal of Veterans Court is to rehabilitate and restore veterans as active, contributing members of their community.
Why are veterans courts important?
The goal of Veterans Treatment Courts is to divert those with mental health issues and homelessness from the traditional justice system and to give them treatment and tools for rehabilitation and readjustment.
What is Veterans Court in Pennsylvania?
Veterans Treatment Courts assist veterans charged with crimes who are struggling with addiction, mental illness or co-occurring disorders and come in contact with the criminal justice system.
What is Veterans Court in Michigan?
About Veterans Treatment Court Veterans treatment court uses a hybrid integration of drug court and mental health court principles to serve military veterans, and sometimes active-duty personnel.
What is Veterans Court in Missouri?
Veterans Court The 13th Judicial Circuit Veterans Treatment Court is a court-supervised, comprehensive treatment program which includes first time non-violent offenders, probationers, and offenders who are returning to the community from the Department of Corrections.
What is Veterans Court Wisconsin?
Northeast Wisconsin Veterans Treatment Court It assists veterans who accept responsibility for qualifying felony or misdemeanor offenses committed within a group of counties in northeast Wisconsin (the Eighth Judicial District). The program also offers assistance with treatment, rehabilitation, employment and housing.
What is Veterans Court in Virginia?
VTCs are community initiatives that work to help Veterans get treatment for their unique clinical needs, within the context of the criminal justice system. Local courts administer these programs and tailor program elements to their jurisdictions, so eligibility and processes vary.
What is a VA treatment court?
Veterans Treatment Courts are hybrid Drug and Mental Health Courts that serve veterans struggling with addiction, serious mental illness and/or co-occurring disorders. They promote sobriety, recovery, and stability through a coordinated response that involves cooperation and collaboration with the traditional partners found in Drug and Mental Health Courts, with the addition of the VA, volunteer veteran mentors, and veterans and Veterans' family support organizations.
Why are veterans treated in courts?
Veterans Treatment Courts were developed to avoid unnecessary incarceration of veterans who have developed mental health problems. Veterans facing criminal charges who are in need of mental health or substance use treatment may be eligible for Veterans Treatment Court, if they live in one of the growing number of communities where these courts exist.
What Type Of Crimes Are Referred To A Veterans Court?
Usually Veterans Courts hear cases involving misdemeanor charges other than those involving sexual offenses or violent crimes. This varies by local and state laws. A veteran’s participation in treatment court is always voluntary. Veterans who choose to participate are assessed by a mental health professional and their treatment needs are determined.
What Are the Usual Outcomes of a Hearing in Veterans Court?
Those veterans receive care from community health providers.
What were the problems veterans faced after returning from Vietnam?
There is much documented evidence that a significant number of the veterans who returned from the Vietnam conflict experienced rather severe problems adjusting to civilian life. Many veterans remained untreated for a long period of time. The VA and local courts recognize that that many of the veterans today are also returning home with mental health issues that, left untreated, can result in much larger problems.
What happens if a veteran fails to meet the requirements of the treatment court?
If the veteran fails to meet the requirements of the program — for example, if he or she fails drug screenings or disobeys court orders — the Court will impose sanctions which may include community service, fines, jail time, or transfer out of Veterans Treatment back to a traditional criminal court. Research shows that treatment court judges are motivators who provide ongoing encouragement to participants as they undertake the difficult work of recovery.
Do veterans have PTSD?
Most veterans are strengthened by their military service, but the combat experience has unfortunately left a growing number of veterans with PTSD, other mental health issues, or brain injury. Recognizing this problem, many local states and communities have developed special Veterans Treatment Courts that seek to provide veterans suffering ...
How Does Veterans Treatment Court Work?
Early research on veterans treatment courts shows encouraging results , with many participants reducing substance use as well as mental health symptoms, as exhibiting improved functioning in other areas as well. 6 These court programs are run differently than traditional courts in several ways that were designed to benefit veterans; primarily, they offer veterans the opportunity to attend individualized treatment programs that address SUDs and mental health issues rather than going to jail. 2,3
Do I Need VA Benefits for Treatment?
You don’t need to be receiving VA benefits to participate in a veterans treatment court. 3 However, VJO staff can help link you to VA benefits and services if you are eligible for them. This can include disability benefits or pension. 3 If you don’t qualify for VA benefits, you can be linked to treatment outside of the VA. 3
Veterans Treatment Court Planning Initiative (VTCPI) – Building on Success
In an effort to replicate the success of the first Veterans Courts, an initiative has been launched to help more communities establish Veterans Courts. The 2010 Veterans Treatment Court Planning Initiative (VTCPI) constitutes the first Veterans Treatment Court training program in the Nation.
Legislative Efforts
State legislatures: A number of states have taken steps to promote Veterans Treatment Courts or veterans assistance within the state court system:
What is Veterans Treatment Court?
A veterans treatment court is a rigorous program that calls for personal accountability while seeking to break the cycle of drug use and criminal behavior. 1 By participating in a veterans treatment court, veterans have the opportunity to work through substance abuse and maintain recovery.
What Are the Pros & Cons of Veterans Treatment Courts?
Veterans may want to weigh the pros and cons of a veterans treatment court if they have struggled with substance use disorder, mental health disorder, or both. Understanding the benefits or downsides can help you decide whether you want to enter into this type of program. The pros are obvious. You avoid jail time and also get treatment for underlying problems that you are facing. One potential hurdle for vets is that they will have to be accountable to others. They will need to check in regularly and undergo drug testing. Further, while over 40 states have veterans treatment courts, some do not, possibly restricting access for veterans. 6
How does a treatment court work?
A treatment court program works with a specific veterans-only docket. 1 This is essential in the success of the program because it takes into consideration veterans’ special circumstances. Instead of issuing sentences that punish veterans for criminal activity, veteran treatment courts target the veteran’s medical disorders and provide programs and support that get to the root of the problematic behavior. 1 Treatment courts also put veterans in an environment with their peers. 1 When veterans have support coupled with substance abuse treatment, they can move forward in recovery.
What happens if a veteran fails a drug test?
If they fail a drug test or don’t comply with an aspect of the treatment regimen, they may have to pay a fine or serve jail time.
What happens when you connect with the VA?
When you connect with the veterans’ treatment court, they will link you with the benefits and resources you need for treatment. 3 If you have VA benefits, they can ensure that you are properly connected with the right help from start to finish.
Do veterans have substance abuse problems?
Veterans are at a higher risk for substance use disorder compared with civilians, with one in ten veterans struggling with substance abuse. 2 The statistics are even more worrisome for veterans who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom. One of every six of these veterans experience a substance use disorder. 3
How many states have no veterans courts?
Nine states have no veterans treatment courts at all, according to the National Center for State Courts, and some have only one, forcing some users to travel hundreds of miles. In West Virginia, Republican state Sen. Ryan Weld (also an Air Force Reserves captain) pushed for veterans courts statewide in a bill this year.
Why are there no veterans courts in San Bernardino County?
have established specialized courts for drug addicts and the mentally ill, veterans courts have languished because of a lack of financial support, reliance on volunteer judges and low usage.
How much money did Trump give to treatment courts?
President Trump last year signed off on $20 million in grant funds through the Bureau of Justice Assistance for treatment courts, and both President Barack Obama and President George W. Bush pushed for greater funding, as well.
Do courts work?
Because the courts are newer and there are so few, research on their efficacy is scarce. Anecdotally, among participants, the courts seem to work. But there’s been only a small handful of studies done over the past few years that have shown varied results with lowering recidivism among veterans who attend the courts compared to civilians.
What is the VA's mission?
Equitable access to high-quality care for all Veterans is a major tenet of the VA health care mission, and the Office of Health Equity (OHE) champions the elimination of health disparities to achieve health equity for all Veterans.
What are the challenges of being a veteran?
Adjusting to civilian life after military service and managing mental health and substance use issues can be difficult for Veterans, especially those who have served in combat zones, and experienced injuries, and/or emotional trauma. Veterans who do not successfully manage these conditions may experience increased homelessness, violent behaviors, ...
What happens if a veteran does not manage his or her homelessness?
Veterans who do not successfully manage these conditions may experience increased homelessness, violent behaviors, and involvement with the justice system. From: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Homeless Programs Office, Veterans Justice Outreach Program.
Do veterans have PTSD?
Veterans are more likely than non-Veterans to have had a traumatic experience. These health-related concerns create needs that differ from non-Veteran justice involved adults. Justice involved Veterans have a higher prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, substance abuse, and alcoholism.
How many VA treatment courts are there?
Although there are now over 400 veterans treatment courts (VTCs) in the country, there have been few studies on participant outcomes in functional domains. Using national data on 7931 veterans in the Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Justice Outreach program across 115 VA sites who entered a VTC from 2011 to 2015, we examined the housing, employment, income, and criminal justice outcomes of VTC participants; and identified veteran characteristics predictive of outcomes. VTC participants spent an average of nearly a year in the program and 14% experienced a new incarceration. From program admission to exit, 10% more participants were in their own housing, 12% more were receiving VA benefits, but only 1% more were employed. Controlling for background characteristics, a history of incarceration predicted poor criminal justice, housing, and employment outcomes. Participants with property offenses or probation/parole violations and those with substance use disorders were more likely to experience a new incarceration. Participants with more mental health problems were more likely to be receiving VA benefits and less likely to be employed at program exit. Together, these findings highlight the importance of proper substance abuse treatment as well as employment services for VTC participants so that they can benefit from the diversion process.
How many participants were in the VTC?
Using data on a national sample of over 7000 VTC participants, we sought to (1) describe the housing, employment, income, and criminal justice outcomes of VTC participants; and (2) identify veteran characteristics predictive of these various outcomes. The results provide information about national outcomes and predictors in VTCs to guide continued development of VTCs to help criminal justice-involved veterans exit the criminal justice system.
How effective are VTCs?
The effectiveness of VTCs on various outcomes, including recidivism, housing, employment, and health is unclear, and comprehensive analyses of VTC outcomes is lacking. One local study of over 250 veterans found that overall, there was no significant difference in recidivism among VTC participants and traditional court participants (Hartley and Baldwin 2016). However, further analysis revealed that VTC participants who completed the VTC program, as opposed to those who dropped out of the program, did have consistently lower recidivism rates than traditional court participants across multiple time periods. A national study of over 22,000 veterans in the VJO program found that VTC participants had better housing and employment outcomes as compared to other criminal justice-involved veterans. However, VTC participants were also more likely to have new incarcerations, possibly due to the increased monitoring that occurs in VTCs (Tsai et al. 2016). Finally, one small study of 86 veterans enrolled in VTCs showed that VTC participants experienced improvements in mental health, overall functioning, and social connectedness over 12 months (Knudsen and Wingenfeld 2016). It is important for the discourse on the effectiveness VTCs to continue to examine these other life domains, such as housing, employment, and public benefits, as they are crucial for long-term recovery and permanent exit from the criminal justice system.
What is VJO history?
At program admission, VJO specialists collected information on sociodemographic characteristics, military service history, physical and mental health, and incarceration history . Combat exposure was assessed by asking veterans whether they ever received hostile or friendly fire in a combat zone. Incarceration history was assessed by asking veterans the amount of total time they have spent in jail or prison during their lifetime, which was categorized as none, 1 year or less, or more than 1 year.
What are the offenses that veterans are facing?
At program admission, VJO specialists document the type of offense(s) the veteran is facing, including violent offenses (e.g., manslaughter, sexual assault, robbery), property offenses (e.g., burglary, motor vehicle theft, vandalism), drug offenses (e.g., possession, trafficking), public order offenses (e.g., weapons offense, public intoxication, disorderly conduct), probation/parole violations, or some other offense. VJO specialists also record whether the veteran is involved in a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) offense, domestic dispute, or has arrearage or delinquency problems with child support orders. Multiple offenses are recorded for some veterans. At program exit, VJO specialists document the number of jail sanctions (i.e., noncompliance with the treatment program or any infractions are reported to the judge who imposes sanctions, such as brief incarceration), and arrests and incarcerations for new offenses during a veteran’s time in the program.
What are the medical diagnoses for veterans?
These diagnoses included alcohol use disorder, drug use disorder, schizophrenia, other psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, military or non-military related posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder, and affective disorder. Veterans were also asked whether they have ever been psychiatrically hospitalized.
Do all VTCs have the same eligibility criteria?
While court eligibility criteria may differ, all VTCs follow a similar framework. Veterans facing criminal charges who meet court admission requirements are provided the opportunity to avoid incarceration and receive a reduced sentence and/or have charges dropped once they successfully complete an individualized treatment program (Clark et al. 2010). Judges supervise veterans, and operations are managed by an interdisciplinary court team including representatives from the District Attorney and public defender’s offices, probation officers, treatment providers, court administrators, VJO staff, and a mentor coordinator who matches veterans to a volunteer veteran mentor.
