Veteran Mentor Courts
Learn more about each dynamic program and apply to learn from them.
Justice for Vets selects exemplary veterans treatment courts to serve as national models. There is no cost to participate, as this program is supported by the Bureau of Justice Assistance within the Office of Justice Programs at the U.S. Department of Justice.
Teams or individuals interested in starting a treatment court can watch the model in action, and established courts can learn new and innovative practices. Choose from an in-person visit, virtual visit, or professional one-on-one shadowing.
Site visit applications to visit the new mentor courts will open in February 2025. Once open, complete the application telling us about you and/or your court program. Our staff will schedule a time with you to discuss further and plan your visit. All mentor court visitors are required to complete a brief online evaluation upon completion of the visit or shadowing. Based on feedback from the evaluation, our staff will determine what, if any, further training or technical assistance is required.
If you need assistance or more information on scheduling a court visit, contact:
Marla Newby
Project director, Justice for Vets
Detroit, MI
36th District Veterans Treatment Court
The 36th District Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) was established in 2010 to assist military veterans dealing with mental health and/or substance use issues who become involved in the justice system. The program aims to reduce recidivism among veterans charged with nonviolent misdemeanor offenses by helping them eliminate their reliance on mood-altering substances.
Established: 2010
Location: Detroit, Michigan
Other tracks: Adult drug court, mental health court
Admission and Target Population
This is a post-adjudication program, meaning all defendants who enter the program must enter a plea and be sentenced to the program as a special condition of their probation. Entry into the VTC program begins after an arrest when the charging document is filed. A defendant may be referred to the program at any stage of the proceedings, although early referral is recommended. At the arraignment, the district attorney conducts an initial screening to confirm that the defendant is a veteran, at least 18 years of age, and eligible for probation as charged. The defense counsel reviews the case and checks for any additional requirements. If the defendant appears eligible based on this initial screening, the prosecutor, defense counsel, judicial officer, or probation department may refer the case to the VTC.
Individuals deemed both legally and clinically appropriate for the program and wish to participate will sign a contract with the terms of their plea and agree to follow all program rules and requirements. The 36th District Court probation department uses a validated risk/need assessment to guide supervision decisions based on the individual’s level of risk and helps determine the case plan objectives according to their prioritized needs.
Entry into the program is voluntary.
Program Structure
The 36th District VTC consists of five phases and lasts a minimum of 14 months. It includes an active mentoring component.
Lincoln, NE
Lancaster County Veterans Treatment Court
The Lancaster County Veterans Treatment Court program began in April 2017. It was designed to provide an alternative to the traditional justice system by offering support and access to substance use and mental health treatment, as well as education and employment opportunities. The VTC connects participants with necessary referrals to services that address their needs, including housing, transportation, medical, dental, and other supportive services.
Established: 2017
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Other tracks: Adult drug court, impaired driving treatment court
Admission and Target Population
The Lancaster County VTC is targeted at individuals with felony offenses related to substance use disorders or behavioral health issues. Participation in the VTC program is voluntary. The VTC is a court-supervised program that incorporates intensive treatment and supervision specifically for military veterans. It encompasses veteran services throughout Lancaster County and involves rigorous community-based supervision through the probation department and treatment services. The program collaborates closely with the other treatment courts operating in Lancaster County.
Program Structure
The Lancaster County VTC program requires regular court appearances before the VTC judge and consists of five phases. The VTC also has a volunteer veteran mentor component. To ensure support, every veteran participating in the program is paired with a fellow veteran who acts as a mentor, advocate, and ally.
Crown Point, IN
Lake County Veterans Treatment Court
The Lake County Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2024 and assists veterans with substance use and/or mental health issues who are involved in the justice system. This multi-track program was developed to connect eligible veterans to individually tailored programs or services while ensuring public safety.
Established: 2014
Location: Crown Point, Indiana
Admission and Target Population
The Lake County VTC accepts pre-adjudication, post-adjudication, post-plea, and probation violation cases at both the misdemeanor and felony levels. The program uses a validated risk/need assessment tool to determine the participant’s appropriate level of supervision and treatment services.
Program Structure
The Lake County VTC provides evidence-based treatment for substance use, mental health, trauma, and co-occurring disorders. The program collaborates with numerous community partners to support veteran participants during and after the program. Case managers attend local veteran stand-down events, and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention provides training to VTC staff and mentors through the Talk Saves Lives Veteran Program.
Recently, the program was expanded to include an alumni component, allowing former participants to return voluntarily to the treatment court for support—without any new criminal charges—if they are struggling or concerned about reoffending. The Lake County VTC has a thriving mentoring component, and recently received the annual Kindness Week award from a local elementary school.
Great Falls, MT
8th Judicial District Veterans Treatment Court (Cascade County)
The 8th Judicial District Court Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) assists veterans in Cascade County, Montana. The mission of the VTC is to reduce crime, enhance public safety, save taxpayer costs, and improve the lives of veteran participants by facilitating sobriety, treating mental health conditions, improving social relationships, and promoting lifelong stability.
Established: 2013
Location: Great Falls, Montana
Other tracks: Adult drug court, juvenile treatment court
Admission and Target Population
The program is for veterans charged with a crime who have serious behavioral health challenges that may have contributed to their involvement in the justice system and may be linked to their military experience. VTC participants are carefully screened and assessed prior to admission and monitored, including via drug testing, throughout the program.
Program Structure
The VTC is an outpatient, court-managed program that lasts a minimum of 14 months. The program consists of five phases, with a misdemeanor track and a felony track. The program also has a mentoring component led by a mentor coordinator that includes active and veteran U.S. military volunteers as well as program alumni.
After graduation, case managers continue to support graduates through their Relapse Prevention Programs. Program alumni who stay engaged with the VTC and our aftercare program for at least 12 months can have their cases considered for expungement.
Warren County Veterans Honor Court
The Warren County Veterans Honor Court (WCVHC) is a program of the Warren County Common Pleas Court that began in March 2018. The mission of the WCVHC is to enhance public safety by preventing recidivism while assisting participants in securing resources and addressing criminogenic and behavioral health issues. WCVHC employs a holistic, accountability-based, community-supported approach to treatment.
Established: 2018
Location: Lebanon, Ohio
Other tracks: Adult drug court, municipal veterans treatment court and mental health court
Admission and Target Population
The WCVHC serves veterans charged with a felony or a felony amended to a misdemeanor for whom court-monitored treatment and other services would enhance their ability to become productive and law-abiding citizens. Individuals interested in participating in the WCVHC must meet the legal and clinical criteria before admission.
Program Structure
The WCVHC emphasizes collaboration with various community organizations and agencies to provide a comprehensive range of services for participants, including community supervision, mental health support, substance use treatment, vocational training, and other resources that promote self-sufficiency and stability.
Volunteer veteran mentors, managed by a mentor coordinator, play a critical role in supporting participants as they transition to civilian life, cope with the effects of military service, or navigate the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare system.