The Veterans Court Diversion Program is a diversion program for Justice Involved Veterans (JIV) who are currently facing prosecution for one or more criminal cases. The program offers offenders a treatment option that is judicially supervised. It is designed to divert JIV out of the traditional criminal justice process and into appropriate rehabilitative alternatives. Once the JIV has been screened, assessed and approved for participation in the program, he/she will promptly begin a treatment regimen that is specific to his/her needs.
Our mission is to successfully rehabilitate the JIV by diverting them from the traditional criminal justice system and providing them with the tools they need to lead a productive and law-abiding lifestyle while improving mental health recovery and successful re-entry into the community.
Justice Involved Veterans can expect the following when participating in the Veterans Court Diversion Program:
- Supervision Monitoring - A case manager will monitor each participant placed in the program. The case manager will work closely with the program manager and service providers.
- Compliance Hearing - All participants are required to attend bi-monthly compliance hearings. During the hearing, the progress of each participant is reviewed in open court. Both incentives and sanctions are used as methods of motivation.
- Disposition of Court Case - The Veterans Court Diversion Program is a 6 to 24 month program. The period directly relates to the participant's needs and/or compliance. Upon successful completion of the program, the case(s) is/are dismissed. In the event the agreement is terminated, the case(s) is/are remanded to the court of origin for continued prosecution
- Program Cost - The program is subject to program fees up to $500. Participants may be responsible for costs of treatment services including -- but not limited to -- drug urinalysis, evaluations, inpatient/outpatient treatment, counseling, etc.
Criteria for entry include:
- Veteran or current member of the United States Armed Forces, including a member of the Reserves, National Guard or State Guard.
- (1) suffers from a brain injury, mental illness, or mental disorder, including post-traumatic stress disorder, or was a victim of military sexual trauma if the injury, illness, disorder, or trauma:
- (A) occurred during or resulted from the defendant's military service; and
- (B) affected the defendant's criminal conduct at issue in the case; or
- (2) is a defendant whose participation in a Veterans Treatment Court program, considering the circumstances of the defendant's conduct, personal and social background, and criminal history, is likely to achieve the objective of ensuring public safety through rehabilitation.
- Current case must be pending in Tarrant County.
- Referrals are accepted from a variety of sources, including Justice Involved Veterans (JIVs), law enforcement, jail staff, judges, defense attorneys, prosecutors, mental health agencies and family or friends. The applicant's attorney must approve submission of application.
Presiding Judges: Ruben Gonzalez; Chuck Vanover
Veterans Court Manager: Courtney Young
Defender Details: Rotational method with 2 judges currently
E-mail: veteranscourt@tarrantcounty.com
Coordinator Phone: 817-884-3225
1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month in CCC9.
