Veterans Treatment Court
359th District Court Room |
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The mission of the Montgomery County Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) is to assist veterans and their families to become integral and productive members of the community through a collaborative effort, and to honor them and restore their dignity for their selfless service to our community; we shall leave no veteran behind. |
PURPOSE The Montgomery County Veterans Treatment Court Program aims to serve veterans and active service members who suffer from mental illness, mental disorders, and substance use disorder due to military service, which was a contributing factor in their misdemeanor or felony criminal offense. Montgomery County Veterans Treatment Court aims to achieve positive veteran behavior by providing a holistic integrated set of support services including the following: |
1. Diverting veterans from the traditional criminal justice system into an alternative to incarceration program that addresses their specific needs;
All applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and not all criminal charges are eligible for Veterans Treatment Court. Many factors, including prior convictions, are considered. The VTC program is voluntary and involves a four-phase program with at least fourteen (14) months of treatment. Participants may enter the VTC through probation or a pre-trial diversion contract. Compliance with probation conditions and treatment conditions are mandatory. The staffing committee determines whether or not an applicant is tentatively eligible. The Department of Veterans Affairs examines the defendant and provides information for further assessment. The presiding judge of the trial court makes the final determination on whether or not an applicant is able to participate in Veteran Treatment Court. Veterans participating in VTC are given access to appointed defense counsel for the duration of proceedings. The VTC dockets are held in the 359th District Courtroom at 207 West Phillips, 3rd Floor, Conroe, Texas 77301 on the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month beginning at 5:00 PM. STEERING COMMITTEE: • CLAUDIA LAIRD - Presiding County Court Administrative Judge • BRIAN BURNS - Criminal Defense Bar Representative • MIKE MEADOR, Commissioner (Pct. 1) Commissioners' Court Representative • RON LEACH (Probation Department Director) - Probation Department Representative • MIKE SHIRLEY - District Attorney Office Representative VTC TEAM: Steps to Apply to Veterans Treatment Court: STEP 1: |
Submit the following forms to the Office of Court Administration and contact Mike Shirley (mike.shirley@mctx.org) with the DA's office for pre-approval:
VA Form for Release of Information (must be submitted with application)
DD214 (if no longer on active duty)
Step 2 - VA Form for Release of Information
After initial approval is received from the VA and DA, obtain medical qualification:
Submit VA Form for Release of Information to:
Attn: Morris Wade Cooper, LCSW VJO specialist via fax # 713-791-7647 or it can be scanned and sent via email to morris.cooper@va.gov. He will then facilitate the medical interview.
STEP 3:
After qualification is verified by the VA, obtain DA signature and submit the following to the court where the defendant's criminal charges are pending for findings by the judge:
Motion Requesting Entry Into VTC
(to be filed after application approved)
Order Approving Entry Into VTC
OTHER FORMS TO BE FILLED OUT WITH VTC:
VETERANS TREATMENT COURT PROGRAM ORIENTATION, PARTICIPANT CONTRACT and CONSENT
VETERAN TREATMENT COURT WAIVER
MONTGOMERY COUNTY VETERANS TREATMENT COURT PROGRAM PARTICIPANT CONTRACT
OTHER INFORMATION:
Click here to view a video with general information Veterans Treatment Courts
Click here to read an article about the success of Veterans Treatment Courts
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