Felony and misdemeanor veterans courts run with the Community Supervision and Corrections Department and VA. Both take only an honorable or general discharge, or a current member, which is narrower than Government Code chapter 124.
Also called: veterans court, veterans treatment court, felony, misdemeanor, CSCD, probation, Government Code 124.
Harris County's Community Supervision and Corrections Department runs two veterans courts with VA for people placed on supervision who served.
Felony veterans court. For a person currently on active duty, in the reserves or the National Guard, or discharged honorable or general, with a pending felony other than a "3g" offense (aggravated assault excepted), who is a legal resident or citizen living in Harris or a contiguous county, has a mental health or substance use disorder that affected the offense, and is eligible for VA services. Referrals are staffed with the court's staff first.
Misdemeanor veterans court. The same service and discharge test, a pending misdemeanor that the District Attorney's office approves, residence in Harris County, eligibility for VA services, and criminal behaviour that VA determines to be service connected.
Narrower than the statute. Government Code chapter 124 sets no discharge test, and its rehabilitation route in section 124.002(a)(2) does not need a service-connected condition at all. Both Harris courts exclude a veteran with an other-than-honorable discharge, and the misdemeanor court hands the service-connection question to VA. Bexar County's misdemeanor court, by contrast, takes every discharge. A veteran refused on discharge grounds should ask the defense lawyer about chapter 124 and courtesy placement in a neighbouring county's programme under section 124.006.
Thresholds
Thresholds for Harris County Veterans Courts
Gate
Rule
Honorable or general discharge, or a current member
Both courts need a current member or an honorable or general discharge and eligibility for VA services. A rating is not the test.
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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.