The Eighteenth Judicial Circuit's Brevard County Veterans Treatment Court takes people who served, and Defense contractors, whose substance abuse, mental health condition or brain injury is related to service, in three phases that often last about a year. The circuit says the State Attorney decides eligibility and admission; the statute gives that decision to the court and its team.
Also called: veterans court, veterans treatment court, VTC, 394.47891, 948.08, Eighteenth Judicial Circuit, Moore Justice Center, Viera, mentor.
The Eighteenth Judicial Circuit, which covers Brevard and Seminole Counties, runs a Veterans Treatment Court in each county under section 394.47891 of the Florida Statutes; see the Florida entry.
Who. The circuit's criteria: anyone who has served in the military, or a Department of Defense contractor, with substance abuse, a mental health condition or a traumatic brain injury related to service, who is not charged with a felony listed in section 948.06(8)(c), the same exclusion section 948.08(7) sets for felony pretrial admission. The circuit's statement of purpose also names those serving now and former members of allied militaries. Its list of conditions leaves out military sexual trauma, which the statute includes, and it sets no discharge test.
Who decides. The circuit's page says "It is the duty of the State Attorney's Office to decide whether an applicant is first eligible under the criteria and if then they are eligible, whether they should be admitted", weighing the victim, the arresting agency, the judge's input, criminal history, the crime, the service record and the likelihood of success. Sections 948.08(7) and 948.16(2) admit a veteran under section 394.47891(8), which says a defendant may take part if approved by the court, in consultation with its team, with the state attorney's recommendation one of the things the court weighs; the statute gives the state attorney a decisive say only over dishonorably discharged veterans, jointly with the chief judge. An applicant the State Attorney turns down can ask the defense lawyer to put eligibility to the court.
The programme. Mental health and substance abuse evaluations, the treatment and classes ordered, testing, probation supervision and a volunteer veteran mentor, in three phases: assessment and stabilization, treatment, and aftercare. Many participants graduate after a year. Status questions go through the defense lawyer; the Brevard problem-solving courts manager is at the Moore Justice Center, 2825 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera (321-617-7375).
Thresholds
Thresholds for Brevard County Veterans Treatment Court
Anyone who served, or a Defense contractor, with a service-related condition, not charged with a felony listed in section 948.06(8)(c). No rating is needed.
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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.