Fifth Judicial District Veterans Treatment Court (Mankato)

Minnesota lets courts run veterans treatment courts and defer sentences for veterans under section 609.1056; see the Minnesota entry. The Minnesota Judicial Branch's list of operational treatment courts names the "Fifth Judicial District: Blue Earth-Brown-Faribault-Jackson-Martin-Nicollet-Watonwan Counties (2013)" veterans court. What it is. The district's brochure: "A Veterans Court is a problem solving court designed for U.S. military veterans charged with misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor or felony offenses and struggling with addiction, serious mental illness and/or co-occurring disorders." It is "a voluntary 12-18 month program", with judicial supervision, ready access to the County Veterans Service Office and VA services, intensive probation, treatment, drug and alcohol testing, help with jobs and housing, and a volunteer veteran mentor. "This Veterans Court is a multi-county, single location model", held "the second and forth Friday of every month at 12:00 noon in Courtroom D at the Blue Earth County Justice Center." Who. "Must have served in the U.S. Military"; a "Non-disciplinary discharge from the military"; adult; a resident of a participating county ("team may waive residency requirement"); charged with a misdemeanour, gross misdemeanour or felony; "Experiencing a treatable behavioral, mental health, or substance abuse problem substantially related to the offense"; the prosecutor's consent; and willingness to take part. A case may come in before a plea or after sentence; "some cases are either dismissed or reduced." How. A referral form with a signed release goes to the Treatment Court Coordinator, Kevin Mettler, 507-469-5518. The brochure is undated and its coordinator may have changed; the Judicial Branch list was read on 2026-10-10.