ABOUT OUR VETERANS COURT PROGRAM

What is the purpose of Veterans Court

The purpose of the Veterans Court of Southern Indiana is to make resources available that will help you and your family overcome stress, problems, and conflicts that may block your recovery process.  The Veterans Court team is here to help you and your family to build the skills that you may need to succeed in the Veteran Court.

If you follow the rules and structure of the program, your life will get better.

We are not saying that it will be problem-free, but we can guarantee that you will be free of the never-ending cycle of getting high to escape problems or being unable to manage your mental health challenge(s).

Program Expectations

Arrive on time

You must arrive on time for Veterans Court and all of your scheduled appointments.  Court sessions start promptly at 10:30 A.M. If you arrive 15 minutes after a session begins you may be admonished and told to return at the next sessions.

Attend all scheduled sessions or appointments

You must attend any and all scheduled court dates, treatment sessions, support group, meetings or conferences.  If you miss due to medical issues, you must:  1) call your case manager so a bench warrant is not issued; and 2) provide medical verification to your case manager.

Contact a Veterans Court Case Manager  

If you are having any kind of difficulty, including making your appointments on time, contact a Veterans Court Case Manager. You cannot change your treatment plan on your own.  Contact your Veterans Court Case Manager right away if a problem arises.

Meet with your attorney

Keep your scheduled appointments with your attorney to ask questions of him or her, especially if you are confused or uncertain about the Court process. The Veterans Court Public Defender is Not your Attorney.

As a participant of a program based on being clean, sober and healthy, narcotic medications are only taken if necessary and are prescribed.

If you have a question to whether or not your current medications are narcotic, speak with your doctor, pharmacist or ask your Case Manager for assistance.

Non-alcoholic beer contains alcohol.  

No alcohol means no alcohol!!!  

You must notify the Veterans Court of any medications that you are prescribed.  

You must also provide medical documentation of said medication for the Court file.

Do not take any alcohol based fluids.  

Alcohol based fluids are, for example, cough syrup, Listerine, etc.  There are items sold over the counter that contain no alcohol

Expect to take random and scheduled drug tests and breathalyzers at court sessions.

Do not tamper with urine samples as they are fully observed. Tampering with your sample may lead to a jail sanction.

You are not to go outside of these counties: Floyd, Clark, Harrison, Jefferson, or Scott, Jefferson County, Kentucky only if approved by your case manager or Judge’s approval.

If an event or emergency arises, you must contact a Case Manager or report to Court to speak with the Judge. There is a “Travel Permit” that outlines all information needed in order to have the Judge consider granting permission. Ask the Case Manager for further assistance.

If your personal information changes (residence, location, phone number, etc), contact a Manager with a full update.

If you need a letter written on your behalf for another court, Division of Family & Children, etc, you must contact the Court no later than one week before you need it.

Upon entry into the program, you can sign releases for those you want information shared with (friends, family, etc).

At anytime, you may add or delete any releases. No information will be shared unless a release is on file. As required by law, release of information for friends or family may be revoked at any time. 42 CFR Part 2.

Dress appropriately for Court and all treatment sessions.

No shorts, undershirts or offensive, violent, alcohol or drug related clothing items may be worn or brought to any session. If you are unsure as to what is appropriate dress, ask a Case Manager.

Do not argue with the Judge or staff.

If you disagree with something, state your position in a calm manner and accept what is being asked of you.

Do not force or coerce any other program participant into doing anything that may harm or interfere with their recovery.

Do not make threats toward other participants, staff, the Judge or behave in a violent manner.

Do not bring drugs, alcohol, or weapons into any treatment program, meeting, appointment, or event 

Program Requirements

• Male or female veterans may apply
• Current or prior military service
• Misdemeanor or felony offenses allowed (no serious violent and sexual offenses)
• Apply and release military and criminal background information
• Submit a copy of Form DD 214
• Complete an eligibility assessment
• Written eligibility notification is sent to the veteran, attorney, prosecutor and the court where the charges are filed
• Sign voluntary participation agreement
• Admit to the Court the crime
• Be open and honest at all times
• Complete an orientation session
• Ongoing monitoring and interaction with Court and Case Manager
• Comply with all program requirements.
• Be accountable for your actions 

What services are available to veterans? 

Services available to military veterans may include:

• Anger Management
• Community Service
• Drug & alcohol testing
• Education
• Electronic Monitoring
• Employment or Vocational training
• Evaluation or Treatment
• Halfway House
• Ignition Interlock
• Inpatient Drug Treatment
• Parenting Classes
• Personal Counseling
• Residential Housing
• VA Care
• Portable Breathalyzer
• Other treatment as needed 

How does the community benefit from a Veterans Court?

Public safety will improve when service members who honorably served, but get in trouble with the law, receive the services needed to reintegrate and contribute to the community again.

• Repeat crime will decrease by the rehabilitation of veterans within the court system.
• Our community will save money and resources by using federally supported treatment programs to assist veterans.
• Taxpayers will save money when the cost of incarceration is reduced.
• Criminal activity will decrease.
• Outcomes for veterans will improve so they are restored as productive and valuable community members.
• “Veterans write a blank check, up to and including life. We Americans deposit it into our freedom account. Veterans Court restores some of the vets’ investment.”'

How often is Veterans Court? 

Veterans Court sessions are held in Clark and Floyd County depending on your risk assessment. Clark County is held every other Tuesday at 10:00 A.M. in the Clark County Circuit Court 1 it is located on the 2nd Floor on the East Wing of the County Government Building at 501 East Court Avenue, Jeffersonville, IN and Floyd County is held every other Tuesday at 10:00 A.M.  in the Floyd Superior Court 3, 311 Hauss Square, Room 421 in New Albany, Indiana.

How can I participate in Veterans Court?

At some point following your arrest, you were provided several choices.

1. Participating in the Veterans Court Program or
2. Remaining in criminal court for prosecution and sentencing on your pending charges.  

If you're accepted into the Veterans Court, successful completion and graduation from the Veterans Court may result in reducing or dismissal of the pending charges or the imposition of a more favorable sentence, depending on the terms of your individual participation agreement. The amount of time you spend in the Veterans Court program will be determined by your individual progress, but it will be no less than 12 months.

Always keep in mind that removal from the Veterans Court may result in a return to criminal court or sentencing on the charge(s) to which you have been convicted.    

To be considered, you must:  

• Have served in the United States Armed Forces 
• Have a criminal charge or violation of community supervision

You will also need to: 

Sign a release that allows the Judge and the team to discuss your private information so they can learn more about you, to see if you are eligible for the program. The coordinator will review your information with the team and the team will decide if you are appropriate for Veterans Court.  

If I want to apply, what is next?

If you want to apply to the program, you should let your attorney know. You can contact Nicole (program coordinator) or Kennedy (reentry coordinator) to schedule an assessment by calling 812-948-5410 or by submitting the form below.