Benton County Veterans Therapeutic Court

Benton County District Court's Veterans Therapeutic Court, running since June 2019, takes anyone who served in the active, reserve or Guard forces, charged in Benton County with a misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor or felony, who has a substance use disorder, mental illness, PTSD or military sexual trauma. No discharge or VA eligibility test is stated. Graduates usually have the charges dismissed.

Also called: veterans court, veterans treatment court, VTC, District Court, therapeutic court, stipulated order of continuance, Columbia Basin Veterans Center, Kennewick, Richland, Tri-Cities.

For: Veteran or service member.

Where it applies

Written for the jurisdictions listed here.

Benton County, WACounty

Benton County District Court has run the Veterans Therapeutic Court since June 2019, with hearings every Tuesday at 10 a.m. in Courtroom 5 of the Justice Center; the therapeutic court office is on the first floor. Who. Someone charged with a misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor or felony in Benton County who "served in the US Armed Forces (Active Duty, Reserves, National Guard)" and has a substance use disorder, mental illness, PTSD or military sexual trauma. The page sets no discharge characterization and no VA eligibility test. Excluded: active warrants elsewhere, a prior sex offence, a history of a serious violent offence under RCW 9.94A.030, or a case involving a firearm; the participant handbook lists more. How it works. The participant signs a stipulated order of continuance, holding the case pre-trial for 24 months, with regular court appearances, case management, treatment and medication compliance, monthly forums, community service and contact with a veteran mentor from the Columbia Basin Veterans Center. On graduation the charges are dismissed or reduced. Referrals go by fax or in person to the therapeutic court office and are screened for eligibility.

Thresholds

Thresholds for Benton County Veterans Therapeutic Court
Gate	Rule
Served in the active, reserve or Guard forces	Any past or present service in the active forces, reserves or Guard, with a qualifying condition and charge. No rating or discharge test is stated.

Sources

Benton County District Court, Veterans CourtOfficial

Updated

Last updated 2026-10-02.

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Disclaimer

VetTOC is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense. Information is for reference only and is not an eligibility determination. Verify with VA, the relevant state or territory, or an accredited VSO.