Veterans Treatment Courts – Massachusetts Center of Excellence for Specialty Courts

Veterans Treatment Courts address behavioral health and social support needs of adults with a history of military service who are involved with the criminal-legal system. Veterans Treatment Courts are designed to increase access to behavioral health treatment and assist court-involved people with a history of military service in their path away from unlawful behavior.

Target Population & Program Referrals

Veterans Treatment Courts serve people involved with the criminal-legal system who have a history of military service and experience mental health, substance use, or co-occurring behavioral health needs. People can be referred to Veterans Treatment Court at two stages of system involvement through a wide variety of sources. Some of these referral sources include:

People with a case in District or Municipal Courts who are at sentencing or disposition:

Self & Defense Counsel: People can consult with their defense counsel and inquire about Veterans Treatment Court. Defense counsel may also inquire with people about their interest in Veterans Treatment Court. If people are interested, Defense Counsel may recommend a Veterans Treatment Court screening to the court.
Prosecutor: Prosecutors may make a Veterans Treatment Court screening recommendation to the court.
Probation: Probation officers may make a Veterans Treatment Court screening recommendation to the court.
Judge: Judges may make a Veterans Treatment Court screening recommendation.

People who are being supervised on Probation at a District or Municipal Court:

Self & Probation Officers: People who are already on Probation can consult with their Probation Officer and inquire about Veterans Treatment Court. Probation Officers may make a Veterans Treatment Court screening recommendation for people they supervise.
Self & Defense Counsel: People can consult with their defense counsel and inquire about Veterans Treatment Court. Often, this referral process arises when a violation notice is issued to people on Probation. When a violation notice is issued, Defense Counsel may also inquire with people about their interest in Veterans Treatment Court.
Prosecutor: Prosecutors may make a Veterans Treatment Court screening recommendation to the court at a violation of probation hearing.
Probation: Probation officers may make a Veterans Treatment Court screening recommendation to the court at a violation of probation hearing.
Judge: Judges may make a Veterans Treatment Court screening recommendation at a violation of probation hearing

Veterans Treatment Court Eligibility & Screening Process

Eligibility is evaluated by the Veterans Treatment Court on a case-by-case basis. In Massachusetts, persons may be from any branch of service and with any discharge status. Eligible persons may have misdemeanor or felony charges.

Participation in Massachusetts Veterans Treatment Courts is voluntary. This means that people who are referred to Veterans Treatment Court and meet eligibility criteria for the program must agree to participate in the program and agree to comply with program requirements. Before people are presented with the option to participate, Veterans Treatment Court staff will meet with individuals to inform them of program requirements and determine their eligibility.

In most cases, a Probation Officer working with a Veterans Treatment Court will meet with potential participants to screen and assess for eligibility criteria that pertain to their legal system involvement and the likelihood of continued unlawful behavior. The Probation Officer will also review the Veterans Treatment Court participant handbook and provide information about the program requirements and structure. A Clinician working with a Veterans Treatment Court will also meet potential participants to screen and assess for behavioral health and social support needs. People interested in the program will be invited to a Veterans Treatment Court session so that they can observe the program in action before they decide to participate.

If a person is determined to be eligible for Veterans Treatment Court and voluntarily agrees to participation, then the person will be officially entered into the program and Veterans Treatment Court will be included in their Conditions of Probation

Veterans Treatment Court Program Description

Veterans Treatment Court provides access to a continuum of treatment and rehabilitative services. For participants with a discharge classified as Honorable or General under Honorable conditions, treatment services are delivered in coordination with the Veterans Administration. Participants with a lesser discharge status are eligible for Veterans Treatment Court and their treatment services are provided by non-VA specialists working closely with the Veterans Treatment Court.

Veterans Treatment Courts follow a multiphase structure. Initial phases involve assessment and stabilization services, as the Veterans Treatment Court team works to assess participants’ treatment and rehabilitation needs and provide stabilization.

Subsequent phases focus on intensive supervision and treatment, as participants receive supervision intended to monitor behavior in the community, meet frequently with a judge, and receive treatment, which sometimes includes residential treatment.

Later phases involve the addition of complementary treatment and support services targeting additional areas of need in life domains, such as education and employment and relapse prevention.

Finally, participants enter a maintenance phase, as subsequent progress is monitored, supervision lessens, and participants prepare to transition out of the program.

The program’s approach includes the cooperation and collaboration of a multidisciplinary team of professionals who work together to assist participants in their path toward recovery and away from unlawful behavior. Typically, the multidisciplinary team includes a District or Municipal Court Judge, Probation Officer, Clinician, Coordinator, Defense Counsel, Prosecution, a Law Enforcement Officer, and representatives from the Veteran Administration Health Care Network, Veterans and Veterans family support organizations, and a Veterans Volunteer Peer Mentor.

The Veterans Peer Mentor is an essential program component. The mentor’s active, supportive relationship, which is maintained throughout treatment, increases Veterans program participation and improves recovery.