Carbon County (Pennsylvania) Veterans Treatment Court
The Court of Common Pleas of the 56th Judicial District has run a Veterans Treatment Court in Jim Thorpe since 2017 for veterans 18 or older with a substance use disorder and a clinical need such as PTSD, TBI or military sexual trauma: about 18 months in five phases on a diversionary or plea track, with VA's justice outreach specialist and veteran mentors. Any discharge but dishonorable or a bad-conduct other than honorable qualifies if the veteran is VA-eligible.
Also called: veterans court, veterans treatment court, VTC, treatment court, 56th Judicial District, Jim Thorpe, mentor, diversionary track, Bringing Our Veterans Home Again, Jim Thorpe, Lehighton, Palmerton, Lansford, Nesquehoning, Weatherly, Summit Hill, Bowmanstown, Kidder Township, Penn Forest.
The Unified Judicial System's list of treatment courts (as of September 14, 2026) dates Carbon County's veterans court to 2017. The handbook the county posts: "The Carbon County Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) was started in 2017 to address the growing number of veterans involved in the substance addicted/abusing individuals involved in the criminal justice system", a collaboration of the Court of Common Pleas, the District Attorney, the Public Defender, the Commissioners, the correctional facility, Adult Probation, the Carbon-Monroe-Pike drug and alcohol and mental health agencies, PA CareerLink, the county's Veterans Affairs office and VA.
Who. A defendant 18 or older detained, awaiting disposition or under supervision, resident in Carbon County (or in a nearby county without a veterans court, as the team decides), charged with misdemeanours or felonies not on the excluded list, with a substance use disorder and one of PTSD, TBI, military sexual trauma, addiction or another serious diagnosis needing treatment, who is "Either a member in good standing of any branch of the military, including the National Guard or Reserves, or is a former member of the above who has been honorably discharged, or if not honorably discharged, is still eligible for V.A. benefits." A dishonorable discharge, an other-than-honorable discharge for bad conduct, Megan's Law offences and a list of violent and sale-for-profit drug offences disqualify, at the District Attorney's discretion.
How it runs. Four tracks: a diversionary track, after which the charges are dismissed and may be expunged once fines and costs are paid, and incentive and standard plea tracks set by the District Attorney, plus a recovery track; about eighteen months of supervision, treatment and testing in five phases; team meetings before each session with VA's Veterans Justice Outreach specialist; and a veteran mentor for each participant, coordinated by the county's Director of Veterans Affairs. The handbook posted is the August 2020 edition. Ask a defence lawyer or the Public Defender to raise a referral, or the Veterans Affairs office (570-325-3986) about mentors.
Thresholds
Thresholds for Carbon County (Pennsylvania) Veterans Treatment Court
Gate
Rule
A veteran or service member charged in Carbon County
Any discharge except dishonorable or a bad-conduct other than honorable, if VA-eligible; the team decides admission. 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.