Spalding County Veterans and Mental Health Treatment Court

What it is. The county's Accountability Court page: "Retired State Court Judge Sidney R. Esary began the Spalding County Veterans and Mental Health Treatment Court in 2017. This program has helped numerous veterans and people with mental illnesses receive treatment and resolve their criminal cases without a conviction on their criminal record. The Spalding County Solicitor General's Office is committed to the continued growth and success of our Veterans and Mental Health Treatment Court." The programme "requires participants to attend individual and group counseling, participate in self-help projects, submit to random drug and alcohol screens and complete other requirements based on the individual's specific needs." Its application packet calls it "at least a 16 month program", with some clients beginning in a residential facility, meetings several times weekly, drug tests at least twice a week and court twice a month, requirements lessened with clean time, and sanctions up to jail, community service, residential rehabilitation and dismissal for breaking the rules. Who qualifies. The page's four requirements: pending misdemeanor charges in Spalding County; "an honorable or less than honorable military discharge and/or a diagnosed mental illness"; a stable residence in Spalding County; and sufficient emotional stability and mental and intellectual capacity to complete the programme. The application adds exclusions - no current or previous sales, distribution or intent charge, no residential burglary, sex crime or violent offense - and that only veterans who have become involved in the criminal system or persons with mental-health-related offenses are eligible, with the team reviewing every file case by case, weighing prior arrests, the current offense and any crime victim's consent. Veterans answer branch-of-service and discharge-type questions on the form. How to ask. Download the application packet from the Accountability Court page and return it to an attorney, jail personnel, probation officer or accountability court staff - the page says do not call the office; your case is reviewed and you are contacted before your court appearance. Or contact Court Coordinator Leslie Heffron, (770) 467-8824, [email protected]. Georgia's accountability-court divisions are authorized by O.C.G.A. 15-1-17 (see the Georgia entry).