Montgomery County Veterans Treatment Court

Montgomery County runs a Veterans Treatment Court under Government Code chapter 124; see the Texas entry. Judge Kathleen Hamilton presides, in the 359th District Courtroom, 207 W. Phillips, third floor, Conroe, on the second and fourth Wednesdays at 5 p.m. Court office: 936-539-7900. It is supported by a grant from the Texas Veterans Commission's Fund for Veterans' Assistance. Who it takes. A defendant charged with a misdemeanor or felony in Montgomery County, or whose case another county transfers there, who is a veteran or a member of the active forces, reserves, National Guard or State Guard and who: - is on active duty or was discharged honorable or general under honorable conditions; - is eligible for VA services; and - has a brain injury, mental illness or disorder, or military sexual trauma that occurred during or resulted from service and affected the offense. Every application is reviewed case by case, and not every charge is eligible. Narrower than the statute. Chapter 124 sets no discharge test and no VA eligibility test, and section 124.002(a)(2) also admits a veteran whose participation is likely to achieve public safety through rehabilitation, with no diagnosis needed. A veteran with an other-than-honorable discharge, or without VA eligibility, should ask the defence lawyer about those routes and about courtesy placement in a neighbouring county under section 124.006. How it runs. At least 14 months of treatment in four phases, entered through probation or a pretrial diversion contract, with appointed defence counsel for the whole time. A staffing committee decides tentative eligibility, VA examines the defendant, and the judge decides. How to apply. Send the application, the VA release of information, the DD-214 (or a summary of service for a serving member) and a Texas driver licence or ID to the court coordinator and the District Attorney's office for pre-approval; then VA's Veterans Justice Outreach specialist arranges the medical interview.