Clark County (Washington) Veterans Therapeutic Court (VETCO)

Clark County District Court runs the Veterans Therapeutic Court, VETCO, founded in 2011, with probation, law enforcement, veteran peer mentors, VA and treatment providers. Since June 3, 2019 it has taken pre-plea cases, misdemeanor and felony, from both District and Superior Court, as well as post-plea District Court cases. The combined docket sits on Mondays at 10 a.m. Who. An adult who lives in Clark County; who admits a substance use disorder or mental health condition driving the offence; whose background check confirms a discharge or release "under conditions other than dishonorable or defined in RCW 73.08.005"; with no violent or sex offence status; who volunteers, serves any mandatory minimum (post-plea) and clears outstanding warrants first. That discharge test is wider than most veterans courts in the State. How it works. Four phases over at least a year, under a supervised treatment plan. A pre-plea participant waives speedy and jury trial and agrees to a stipulated-facts trial if terminated; on graduation the charges are dismissed with prejudice. Referral. Defence counsel or prosecutors send the pre-plea or post-plea referral form to [email protected]; questions to the Therapeutic Specialty Courts Coordinator, 564-397-2421.