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Veterans Court

A Program for Veterans involved in the Justice System

The Goal of Veterans Court

The goal of Veterans Court is to provide services and ongoing supervision to veterans that have mental health issues related to their time serving in the US military and that have cases pending in the criminal court.  This program is a collaborative effort of the Court, Veterans Administration, Public Defender’s Office, Alternate Defender’s Office, Probation Department, Sheriff’s Office and other community partners. 

Veterans Court is a Voluntary Program

As a general rule, if a veteran’s military service is a primary cause of the veteran’s involvement with the justice system, Veterans Court may be offered as an alternative to standard criminal case processing.  Veterans charged with many types of criminal offenses will be offered the option to participate in Veterans Court, presided over by Judge FredRicco McCurry, a veteran who served for 31 years in the US Army (active and reserve.)  In many instances, veterans may be offered military diversion, without having to enter a plea, and will be able to take advantage of mental health and substance use treatment, housing and employment services, and regular and ongoing support from the Court and from their case manager.  Veterans may also participate, with a judge’s authorization, after they have been convicted of criminal charges and as a condition of probation.  In the interest of public safety, veterans who commit certain violent crimes are not authorized to participate in Veterans Court.

Acceptance into Veterans Court

Upon acceptance into Veterans Court, the collaborative team will develop an individualized treatment plan that includes case management from a Veterans Services Officer, mental health and substance use treatment, medication support, services for housing and employment, and other services as determined by the team.

Participation by the Veteran

Veterans will be required to comply with the treatment plan developed by the Veterans Court team and will attend regular court status hearings, meet regularly with their case manager, submit to mandatory drug and alcohol testing, and complete other goals identified in the treatment plan.   Their progress will be monitored and encouraged through positive reinforcement.  If a veteran does not follow through on the treatment plan, the judge may order sanctions.