Following arrest, defendants are identified as veterans and screened for VA Healthcare eligibility through contact with the Veterans Justice Outreach Coordinator. Suitability for the program is determined through a series of screenings intended to promote public safety. Legal counsel explains the program and advises the defendant in making a decision regarding participation. A defendant can only be accepted into Veterans Treatment Court as follows [generally stated]:

1. Must have served in the US Military, be a current or former US Department of Defense Contractor, or a current or former military member of a foreign allied country.
2. Misdemeanor and felony charges are eligible for Veterans Treatment Court at the discretion of the Court and upon recommendation of the State Attorney's Office. Each case is reviewed on an individual basis.
3. Veteran status will be established by a DD-214 and, if eligible, will receive services through the Veterans Administration Healthcare benefits.
4. Suffering from a substance use disorder, military-related mental illness, mild traumatic brain injury, and/or an eligible severe and persistent mental illness.
5. Must have been arrested for, charged with, and/or sentenced on one or more crimes.
6. Must meet residency requirement [generally 30 days in Lee County prior to application] unless eligible for transfer under the Florida Problem Solving Court Transfer Guide.
7. Must enter a guilty or no contest plea to each charge pending or charges may be deferred by the state attorney's office.
8. Must have ability to comprehend and conform to the Veterans Treatment Court guidelines.
9. Must be legally competent to proceed.
10. Must be a clear nexus between mental health or substance use disorder diagnosis and criminal offense.
11. If charges have been filed in a County outside of the County of primary residence, the case may be eligible for transfer under the Florida Problem Solving Court Transfer Guide.

Veterans Treatment Court participants are required to appear in Veterans Treatment Court on regular scheduled dates. At each appearance, the Judge will be given a progress report prepared by the treatment provider and/or the probation officer regarding a participant’s drug test results, attendance, and participation in treatment.

Veterans Treatment Court is a voluntary program, for which misdemeanor and felony defendants are considered at the discretion of the Court. Participants will additionally be required to:

• Demonstrate progress toward goals
• Participate in mental health treatment and take medications as prescribed
• Refrain from engaging in illegal activity; remain alcohol and substance free
• Random drug and alcohol screens (possibly at own expense)
• Meet conditions of probation, when applicable

Entry into the Veterans Treatment Court program is voluntary. A Treatment Plan is developed cooperatively to specifically address the defendant's needs, taking into account existing community resources. The defendant, mental health professionals, and counsel must together agree to the Treatment Plan. Successful completion of the Treatment Plan results in closure of the case either through dismissal of the defendant's charges or possible completion of the probation. Failure to complete the Treatment Plan or discharge from the program results in prosecution on the pending charges or a violation of probation.

Drug testing is required throughout the entire treatment process as determined by the treatment team. The Veterans Treatment Court Judge will have access to all drug test results including any failures to test, and may order a drug test at any time.

Financial Obligations

Participants are responsible for payment of full restitution to any victims of their crimes (the details and amount of which, if any is owed, are negotiated up front and included in the Veterans Treatment Court Contract). Participants are also responsible for all court costs, fines and fees, and may be responsible for the cost of all treatment sessions and drug testing. Participants will need to certify their ability to meet these financial obligations prior to being accepted into Veterans Treatment Court.

In diversion cases, with successful completion of the Court Supervision Plan, the pending case will be dismissed by the State Attorney's Office. Probation may be terminated or defendant continued on regular supervision. Defendants will be successfully linked with mental health and substance abuse service providers that they can maintain for the future. Family and friends are invited to join the court as the Judge congratulates the defendant for successfully completing the Court Supervision Plan and achieving his/her goals.

Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) enjoys a strong team of volunteer veteran mentors from our community who are available at every court date (and in between as well) to assist our VTC Participants. The mentors have no direct connection with the VTC Team, and exist solely for the benefit of the Participant. Mentors aim to offer support, guidance and friendship, and have proven to be priceless to Participants, as veterans are often in the best position to understand and help other veterans. Working with a mentor is optional and comes with no obligation on the part of the Participant.