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 Veterans Court is to restore you to the law-abiding citizen you were before your experience in the military.
Veterans Court takes approximately one year to complete. If you successfully complete the program, you will have your criminal convictions sealed.1
What services are available?
Treatment in Veterans 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, Veterans Court mentors are there to support you going through the program and to serve as accountability partners.2
Veterans Court lasts about one year.
Am I eligible?
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 Veterans 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 Veterans Court, try to bring your DD-214 record of separation to your arraignment.3
Can I get Veterans Court for a felony?
You are more likely to be referred to Veterans 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
What are the conditions?
As a Nevada Veterans Court participant, you must attend
- Regular counseling sessions (several times per week) and
- Regular meetings with your court officers (usually weekly or twice a month).
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
Upon successful completion of Veterans Court, the criminal conviction will be sealed.
How much does the program 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 you have engaged a private lawyer to represent you.6
For more information about Veterans Court in Clark County, visit the official site.
For more information about about Veterans Court in Washoe County, visit the official site.
Additional reading
For more in-depth information, refer to these scholarly articles:
- When a Veterans’ Treatment Court Fails: Lessons Learned from a Qualitative Evaluation – Victims & Offenders
- Worthy of Justice: A Veterans Treatment Court in Practice – Law & Policy
- Veterans Treatment Court research: Participant characteristics, outcomes, and gaps in the literature – Journal of Offender Rehabilitation
- A National Study of Veterans Treatment Court Participants: Who Benefits and Who Recidivates – Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research
- Veterans Treatment Court: A Proactive Approach – New England Journal on Criminal & Civil Confinement
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 Second Judicial District Courts, Specialty Courts, Advisory Commission on the Administration of Justice.
- Same.
- Same.