Seminole County Veterans Treatment Court

The Eighteenth Judicial Circuit runs veterans treatment courts in Brevard and Seminole Counties under section 394.47891 of the Florida Statutes; see the Florida entry. Seminole County's began as a pilot in 2012 under County Judge John L. Woodard III, to identify every veteran in the criminal justice system and divert eligible cases to treatment. Who. The circuit's Seminole criteria: the veteran "must have served in the United States Armed Forces and be eligible to receive services through the Veteran's Administration". Most non-violent, non-traffic third-degree felonies and misdemeanors qualify, and DUI and other traffic offences are eligible; domestic violence cases and battery on or resisting an officer can be admitted with the State Attorney's and the victim's or officer's agreement. Charges of distributing, selling or delivering controlled substances are not eligible, nor are veterans with prior convictions for sale or delivery, violent felonies or more than one violent misdemeanor. The circuit says the State Attorney decides eligibility and admission. Where that is narrower than the law. Section 394.47891 defines a veteran as anyone who has served, includes Defense contractors and allied veterans, sets no discharge test and leaves only a dishonorable discharge to the chief judge and state attorney; it gives the admission decision to the court with its team. The requirement of VA eligibility works as a discharge test, since VA services generally turn on the character of discharge. The programme. A plea with the sentence deferred, supervision by Seminole County Probation, three phases (assessment and stabilization, treatment, aftercare) and a volunteer veteran mentor, a programme the circuit runs only in Seminole. Graduation needs all treatment court fees and any restitution paid; the plea is then withdrawn and the State Attorney drops the charges. Problem-solving courts manager: 101 Eslinger Way, Sanford 32773; 407-665-4966.