Twelfth Circuit Veterans Treatment Court (Florence and Marion Counties)

South Carolina's circuit solicitors may run veterans treatment courts under the Veterans Treatment Court Program Act, chapter 29 of title 14 (section 14-29-10 and following). The Twelfth Circuit Solicitor's brochure: "The Twelfth Circuit Solicitor's Office offers Veterans with non-violent offenses an alternative option than the traditional court system. The Twelfth Circuit Veterans Court is a diversion program designed specifically for the needs of the Veteran, and upon successful completion of the program, become eligible to have the charges expunged from their record." Who. "Veterans charged with non-violent misdemeanor and/or felony offense(s) in Florence of Marion County. Who are eligible for Veterans Services benefits? With a diagnosis of a treatable behavioral, mental health, and/or chemical dependency problem." How it works. Legal, mental health, alcohol and drug assessments; screening by VA; court appearances twice a month; weekly AA or NA or other self-help meetings; weekly random drug tests; treatment compliance; job training or employment; and contact with veteran mentors. The team is the judge, the Solicitor's office, the Public Defender, a VA Veterans Justice Outreach specialist, law enforcement and behavioural health. "The Veterans Treatment Court lasts at least twelve (12) months and is divided into four (4) phases"; the brochure also says it "generally lasts from eighteen to twenty-four months". Contact. Office of Solicitor, Twelfth Judicial Circuit, Veterans Treatment Court Program, 180 N. Irby Street, Florence, SC 29501; office (843) 679-7163, fax (843) 676-8648; coordinator Dwain Trent. The circuit's director of diversion programs is Jack Greenan, 843-292-1632.