Nevada Veterans Treatment Court

Q: What services are available?

Treatment in Veteran's Court can include some or all of the following (as needed): Substance abuse detox and counseling, Mental health counseling, Anger management and impulse control treatment, Medical services, Trauma therapy, Vocational education and guidance, and Wellness education. You are paired with volunteer mentors who are also veterans. Much like an AA sponsor, Veteran's Court mentors are there to support you going through the program and to serve as accountability partners.

Q: Am I eligible for Nevada Veteran's Court?

Specific requirements for Veterans' Court vary by county. In general, you must be a veteran or current member of the U.S. Military with a service-related substance abuse or mental health issue. You must have no - or only a low-level history - of violence and no sexual offense charges or convictions. Participation in Veterans Treatment Court is voluntary. You are usually referred to the program by your attorney, the prosecuting attorney, or other courts, although family members can also make referral requests. You must qualify for services through the Veteran's Administration. To qualify for VA benefits, you must generally be: Honorably discharged, and /or Have been on active duty for not less than two years unless you have a service-related injury. In cases involving domestic violence, the alleged victim must also approve your participation in the program.

Q: What are the conditions?

As a Nevada Veteran's Court participant, you must attend regular counseling sessions (several times per week) and regular meetings with your court officers. You are not allowed to take any illegal substances or addictive medications except as strictly prescribed by a doctor. You are subject to regular random drug and alcohol testing and ongoing monitoring for possible additional criminal activity. You also may be required to participate in community service or a work program.

Q: How much does Veteran's Court cost?

Costs vary by jurisdiction. In Reno, there are no court costs for participating in the program. In Las Vegas, there are court costs of $1,500, which can be paid in monthly installments. This does not include your attorney's fees (if any) if you have engaged a private lawyer to represent you.

1. What is Veterans Treatment Court?

If you are a military veteran accused of non-violent crimes, Veterans’ Treatment Court is a Nevada specialty court for you. It is particularly suited to you if you have service-related illnesses such as

substance abuse,
mental health issues,
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or
traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The goal of Veteran’s Court is to restore you to the law-abiding citizen you were before your experience in the military.

Veteran’s Court takes approximately one year to complete. If you successfully complete the program, you will have your criminal convictions sealed.¹

2. What services are available?

Treatment in Veteran’s Court can include some or all of the following (as needed):

Substance abuse detox and counseling,
Mental health counseling,
Anger management and impulse control treatment,
Medical services,
Trauma therapy,
Vocational education and guidance, and
Wellness education.

You are paired with volunteer mentors who are also veterans. Much like an AA sponsor, Veteran’s Court mentors are there to support you going through the program and to serve as accountability partners.²

Man in fatigues receiving support by doctors

Veterans Court lasts about one year.

3. Am I eligible for Nevada Veteran’s Court?

Specific requirements for Veterans’ Court vary by county.

In general, you must be a veteran or current member of the U.S. Military with a service-related substance abuse or mental health issue. You must have

no – or only a low-level history – of violence and
no sexual offense charges or convictions.

Participation in Veterans Treatment Court is voluntary. You are usually referred to the program by your attorney, the prosecuting attorney, or other courts, although family members can also make referral requests.

You must qualify for services through the Veteran’s Administration. To qualify for VA benefits, you must generally be:

Honorably discharged, and /or
Have been on active duty for not less than two years unless you have a service-related injury.

In cases involving domestic violence, the alleged victim must also approve your participation in the program.

If you are a former member of the military and wish to participate in Veteran’s Court, try to bring your DD-214 record of separation to your arraignment.³

4. Can I get Nevada Veteran’s Court for a felony?

You are more likely to be referred to Veteran’s Court if you have been charged with misdemeanor offenses. However, you may be eligible for the Clark County Veterans Court-supervised outpatient treatment program if you have been convicted of a felony.

The program works collaboratively with the Veterans Administration to serve you if you have significant addiction and mental health issues that developed during or from your military service.⁴

5. What are the conditions?

As a Nevada Veteran’s Court participant, you must attend

regular counseling sessions (several times per week) and
regular meetings with your court officers.

You are not allowed to take any illegal substances or addictive medications except as strictly prescribed by a doctor.

You are subject to regular random drug and alcohol testing and ongoing monitoring for possible additional criminal activity. You also may be required to participate in community service or a work program.⁵

Forlorn looking veteran - Veteran's treatment court in Nevada can allow one to avoid jail and a criminal record

Upon successful completion of Veterans Court, the criminal conviction will be sealed.

6. How much does Veteran’s Court cost?

Costs vary by jurisdiction. In Reno, there are no court costs for participating in the program. In Las Vegas, there are court costs of $1,500, which can be paid in monthly installments.

This does not include your attorney’s fees (if any) if you have engaged a private lawyer to represent you.⁶

7. When and where is Veterans’ Court in Las Vegas and Reno?

Las Vegas Veterans’ Court hearings are held at 9:30 a.m. every Tuesday in Department 3 at North Las Vegas Justice Court, located at 500 S. Grand Central Pkwy., Las Vegas, NV 89155.

Reno Veterans Court takes place every Monday at 9:30 a.m. in Courtroom A of the Second Judicial District Court, located at 75 Court Street, Reno, NV 89501.

Henderson, Veterans’ Court takes place at Henderson Municipal Court, 243 S. Water St., 3rd Floor, Henderson, NV 89015.

Are you a veteran accused of a crime in Nevada? Call us for help…

Group of law firm receptionists with headsets

Call our law firm for legal advice. We offer consultations.

If you or a family member is a veteran accused of a crime in Clark County or Washoe County, Nevada, we invite you to contact us for a consultation.

Our Las Vegas criminal defense lawyers defend former and current members of the military accused of crimes in civilian courts throughout the state of Nevada.

One of our Reno or Las Vegas criminal defense lawyers will return your inquiry promptly to discuss your case, including the possibility of getting your case heard in Nevada Veterans Treatment Court.

Legal References

NRS 176A.290; NRS 176A.400; see, for example, Veterans Treatment Court handbook, Eighth Judicial District Court.
Same.
Same; see also Crampton v. State, (Nev. Ct. App. 2016) 132 Nev. 959.
Same. See also Veterans Treatment Court, Las Vegas Justice Court; see also Second Judicial District Courts, Specialty Courts, Advisory Commission on the Administration of Justice.
Same.
Same.

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