Thurston County District Court Veterans Court

Thurston County District Court runs a Veterans Court modelled on its Mental Health Court; the first hearing was on July 22, 2009. It sits on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. in Courtroom 1. Who. Veterans or active-duty members with a qualifying criminal case in the Thurston County, City of Lacey or City of Tumwater jurisdiction that chapter 2.30 RCW does not exclude; a qualifying mental health diagnosis with a nexus to the charge; and a low to high risk score. For Veterans Court the team also weighs the connection between the diagnosis and military service, and "eligibility for VA Healthcare or ability to engage in military or community treatment services", so a veteran outside VA care is not shut out. Referral. Anyone but the defendant can refer: a judge, officer, prosecutor, defence counsel, treatment provider or family member. The defence attorney then files the referral form, the programme manager assesses eligibility, and the team staffs the case; the case prosecutor can stop it at any point. Superior Court cases are sent down first. How it works. Twenty-four months, longer for violations; weekly court at first, frequent meetings with a care coordinator, and sobriety monitoring. Graduation needs six violation-free months and a graduation plan; the legal outcome on completion is agreed before entry. Questions: 360-867-2035.