Veterans Treatment Court

Whitley County Veteran's Treatment Court

Whitley County Veterans Treatment Court (“VTC”) will provide services to felony and some misdemeanor offenders who meet eligibility criteria as follows:

 

  1. A diagnosable substance dependence and/or
  2. A diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress and/or other non-psychotic mental health disorder and/or
  3. A Traumatic Brain Injury that doesn’t result in an inability to benefit from treatment and/or
  4. A risk/need level of high risk/high need or low risk/high need
  5. Eligible for Veterans Administration Health Benefits
  6. A veteran or service member of any branch
  7. At least 18 years of age
  8. Admission is authorized by the VTC Judge.
  9. A residence of Whitley County, or a continuous county bordering Whitley
  10. Offense committed in Whitley County

 

Those who are not eligible for participation include:

 

  1. Those with a serious mental illness (psychotic) or brain injury resulting in an inability to benefit from treatment
  2. Psychopaths (Indicated from HARE)
  3. Those with an offense outlining Sex Crimes, Murder, Dealing for Profit, Robbery, and Batteries with a degree of Level 5 or Higher. 

 

Whitley County VTC will not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, ethnicity, age or disability.

 

The Whitley County Prosecutor’s office will conduct a legal screening following arrest or referral.  The defendant or defendant’s attorney will be notified of a defendant’s eligibility, and the defendant will be informed of program goals and expectations by their attorney and Court staff.  A clinical screen will be done by the Veterans Justice Outreach Coordinator (“VJO”). If eligible offenders exceed program capacity, the Coordinator will work closely with the team to determine which offenders have the greatest need.

 

Offenders may also be referred to the Whitley County VTC by a judge, prosecutor or defense attorney.  All referrals to the court will be submitted to the Prosecutor’s office that will then provide a copy of all acceptable referrals to the VTC coordinator. The VTC prosecutor will make legal eligibility determinations.  Persons admitted to the VTC must meet eligibility guidelines outlined by the I.C. 33-23-16 and those established by the VTC team.  VTC eligibility criteria are included in this manual.

 

Offenders making application to the VTC shall have an intake appointment scheduled with the VJO. 

 

          Background of the program

          History and Purpose

          The Whitley County Veterans Treatment Court program began preparation in 2014 for the implementation of a Problem Solving Court in Whitley County.  The Veterans Treatment Court has a purpose of helping participants achieve total abstinence from drugs and/or alcohol, be diverted from prison or jail, and to have a more satisfying law-abiding life.  The Veterans Treatment Court is designed to reduce re-arrests, promote self-sufficiency through employment and education and to help you remain in the community as a productive and responsible member of society by diversion from prison or jail.  The Veterans Treatment Court program is voluntary on your part.  You must want to participate in this program.  The judge, court staff, supervision officers, treatment counselors and other team members will guide and assist you, but the final responsibility is yours.  You must be motivated to make these changes and commit to a totally drug free life.

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          The program involves working jointly with the Court, community supervision, treatment providers, the Veterans Health Administration, Veterans Benefit Administration, veterans employment representatives, veterans service organizations, service officers, and other key team members, all dedicated to your recovery for a minimum of one year.  You will not be sent to prison or back to jail if you comply with the conditions of the program and graduate.  Our team will be working with you towards successful completion of the program, but the choice and effort to become drug and alcohol free and not commit new crimes comes from you.

        

         

         

          It is important that you understand the long-term commitment required by this program.  You will become involved with community support group meetings, attend substance abuse treatment, participate in mental health treatment (if indicated), be subject to strict community supervision, submit to random drug testing and make regular appearances in court.