Tulsa County Veterans Treatment Court

Oklahoma has no veterans treatment court statute; the district court in Tulsa County runs its Veterans Treatment Court through Tulsa County Alternative Court Programs, alongside drug and DUI, mental health, misdemeanour diversion, youthful drunk driving and prison re-entry courts. What it is. Founded in 2008, it was one of the first veterans treatment courts in the country. It is voluntary and lasts at least 18 months in five phases, with regular court appearances, drug and alcohol treatment, random testing, support groups, job counselling, classes and community supervision, working with the Veterans Health Administration and Veterans Benefits Administration. A participant who complies and graduates "will not be sent to prison or jail". Who can get in. Candidates "must have served in the United States Armed Forces in some capacity", so there is no discharge test. The District Attorney reviews the criminal history; if approved, a substance use and mental health evaluation follows, and a candidate with a favourable result may enter a plea. Those with sex offences or gang affiliations are not eligible. The programme describes itself as for non-violent felony and substance-related charges. How to start. Apply through tcacp.org, or contact Tulsa County Alternative Court Programs, 500 S. Denver Avenue, Suite 170, Tulsa (918-596-8595; [email protected]). The team is led by Judge Nightingale with a veterans and re-entry court coordinator, an assistant district attorney and an assistant public defender.