​​​​​​​​​​​Our mission is to provide support and rehabilitation opportunities to qualified JIV criminal defendants whose crimes were materially connected to injuries suffered as a result of honorable services in the United States Armed Forces. 

Program Overview

The Veterans’ Court is a diversion program for Justice-Involved Veterans (JIV) who are 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 treatment/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.

Program Structure

Participants will assist in developing their individualized treatment plan. A phase system is utilized to measure participant progress. Services for education, counseling, drug/alcohol monitoring, and other needs are provided by outside agencies. Participants are referred to these agencies throughout the program, as needed.

Supervision Monitoring – In addition to the Veterans Court Probation Officer, 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 Veterans Court participants are required to attend 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 12-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) are dismissed (if allowed by law). In the event the agreement is terminated, the case(s) are remanded to the court of origin for continued prosecution

Disclaimer: District Attorney (DA) Approval – All cases/applications are reviewed by the County District Attorney's office for initial approval. Referrals – Accepted from a variety of sources, including law enforcement, jail staff, judges, defense attorneys, family, friends, prosecutors, and mental health professionals.​

Benefits

Upon successful completion of the program, the case(s) are dismissed (if allowed by law). 

​Goals

Our program's goals are to find JIV, assess their needs, offer assistance, manage their care, and provide them with successful treatment options ultimately leading to community reintegration and resolution of their criminal case(s).

Note: This program is supported by a grant from the Texas Veterans Commission Fund for Veterans' Assistance. The Fund for Veterans' Assistance provides grants to organizations serving veterans and their families. 

Application Process

• Once a referral is received, the Program Manager reviews it to ensure the criteria are met and submits the application to the county DA’s office for initial review.
  
• Following DA review, and if approved, the JIV is scheduled for a face-to-face interview with the Veterans Court treatment team, who will make the final decision for approval.
  
• The JIV, their attorney, and the court of origin are notified of the treatment teams’ decision.
  
• If approved, the JIV is scheduled to plea into Veterans Court. Each plea takes place in front of Judge Roach and includes transferring the case from the originating court into the Veterans Court.
  

​Contact

Team Members

Resources and Forms

This program is supported by a grant from the Texas Veterans Commission Fund for Veterans' Assistance.
The Fund for Veterans' Assistance provides grants to organizations serving veterans and their families.

www.tvc.texas.gov