Veterans Court - Midland County

MIDLAND Midland County held it's first stakeholders meeting Tuesday, for it's new Veterans Treatment Court.

The treatment court aims to give veterans in the Basin a second chance, after run-ins with the law, due to PTSD or other mental health problems.

However organizers of the court say this is a hand up, not a hand out to veterans.\

According to Midland County Judge, Robin Darr, 311 self identified veterans entered the Midland County Jail during the last two years.

Starting in September over a 39 day period 59 veterans were arrested in Midland County.

The court is hoping to reduce those numbers by focusing on treatment rather than punishment.

"It's not an adversarial court, it's a team concept of how can we help this person navigate the court system and come out a better person," Darr said.

In order to be eligible to see the court a veterans must be diagnosed with PTSD or mental health issues that is a direct result of trauma sustained during their military service.

The court also requires that the criminal offense be less than a P-3 felony, those are crimes like murder or aggravated sexual assault.

"I think it'll mean less jail days for some defendants, I think it will mean better rehab, rehabilitation treatment that is targeted to meet a Veterans needs," Darr said.

Veterans who come before the court will have access to peer mentors as well as well as a peer-to-peer network.

Veterans Treatment Court will be open the first and third Thursday of every month.

Anyone seeking more information about the court can contact the Midland county courthouse.

Eligibility

Career Phase:
Discharges Allowed:
  • Honorable
  • General Under Honorable
Military Branch:
Programs for Family Members:
Service Counties:
  • Midland
Services Category:
  • Legal-Criminal and Vet Courts
VA Disability Rating Requirement:
  • Any Disability
Vet Plus: