The Dallas County Veterans Court Program is a mental health and drug treatment court which provides an alternative to traditional criminal prosecution for veterans who meet specific criteria and suffer from a mental health disorder, including substance abuse disorders. The purpose of the program is to provide treatment for mental health issues that caused or affected the actions of the veteran in the criminal offense charged.
The Court provides an alternative to traditional criminal prosecution for limited types of offenses and for the proper medical treatment of veterans who have served our country. Through direct coordination with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Veterans Court Program can help to provide medical treatment, mentoring, and other services to our nation's veterans who are facing qualifying criminal charges.
SUMMARY INFORMATION
Eligibility Requirements
- Charged with an offense which could or would typically receive a community supervision recommendation – such as probation.
- Must have an Honorable Discharge or currently be a serving Active Duty Member in the Armed Forces.
- No prior felony convictions or felony deferred adjudications.
- Must be employed full‐time, a full‐time student, or a part‐time student also working part‐time.
Benefits
- Access to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs medical treatment of mental health issues.
- Continual Court monitoring of treatment progress.
- Periodic appearances in Court with the judge.
- Mentoring by fellow veterans. Many mentors participated in the Veterans Court Program.
- Successful completion results in dismissal of the charges and eligibility for expunction from the veteran’s record.
Introduction
- An alternative to traditional prosecution.
- Treatment of mental health issues which caused or affected criminal conduct.
- Eligibility is determined by the District Attorney’s Office.
Process & Instructions
- Consult with your attorney about applying for Veterans Court.
- Contact the Community Supervision Officer (CSO) at 214‐875‐4939.
- Fill‐out and submit waivers granting the Veterans Court access to your military service records and medical records for purposes of determining eligibility for, and course of treatment in, Veterans Court.
- Charged offense is reviewed by the CSO and the District Attorney’s Office to determine eligibility of acceptance into the program.
- Appointment is set for mental health evaluation.
- Veteran applicant is informed of their acceptance or denial into the program via phone call from the CSO.
- Treatment Plan issued (treatments vary) and mentor assigned.
- Judge monitors progress throughout treatment.
- Once treatment is complete, case is dismissed and eligible for expunction.
