The 4th Judicial District's Veterans Trauma Court, Colorado's first, takes veterans and active-duty members with trauma or substance use problems, felonies included, regardless of discharge status. It is post-plea: a participant pleads guilty first.
The 4th Judicial District (El Paso and Teller Counties) has run its Veterans Trauma Court since December 2009, the first in Colorado and one of the first in the country to take felony cases. It sits weekly in the El Paso County Judicial Center under C.R.S. 13-5-144, which leaves eligibility to the district; see the Colorado entry.
Who. U.S. military veterans and active-duty personnel with trauma spectrum disorders or substance use problems who are high risk and high need. "The VTC takes veterans regardless of their discharge status", because veterans without VA health care eligibility need help too.
How it works. It is a post-plea programme: someone who believes they are innocent should not seek entry. Participants engage in treatment, appear in court regularly and are intensively supervised, with peer mentors, and are connected to PTSD, domestic violence, mental health and substance use treatment and to education, housing and work. Referrals come from defence lawyers, families, jail peer mentors, or the veteran. The programme gives no free legal services.
Briefings for veterans, lawyers and families are held twice a month at 10:30 a.m. in room S022 of the Judicial Center. Coordinator: 719-452-5039.
Thresholds
Thresholds for 4th Judicial District Veterans Trauma Court
Gate
Rule
Veteran or active-duty member with trauma or substance use
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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.