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Veterans Treatment Court

hosted by the 359th District Court

Veterans Treatment Court

 
 Veterans Treatment Court

359th District Court Room
207 W. Phillips, Suite 305, Conroe, Texas 77301
Phone: 936-539-7900 Fax: 936-538-8187

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MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Montgomery County Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) is to assist veterans and their families to become integral and productive members of  the community through a collaborative effort, and to honor them and restore their dignity for their selfless service to our community; we shall leave no veteran behind.
   
PURPOSE
The Montgomery County Veterans Treatment Court Program aims to serve veterans and active service members who suffer from mental illness, mental disorders, and substance use disorder due to military service, which was a contributing factor in their misdemeanor or felony criminal offense.  Montgomery County Veterans Treatment Court aims to achieve positive veteran behavior by providing a holistic integrated set of support services including the following:
 

1. Diverting veterans from the traditional criminal justice system into an alternative to incarceration program that addresses their specific needs;
2. Improving access to medical, mental health, and substance abuse treatment;
3. Assisting with other debilitating factors such as unemployment and homelessness; and
4.
Improving long-term mental health recovery and community reintegration through involvement in structured, comprehensive treatment.

To Qualify for the VTC a defendant MUST:

  1. Be charged with a criminal offense in Montgomery County or in another county in which their criminal case is transferred to the VTC in Montgomery County;
  2. Be a US Veteran, on active duty, or in the Reserves, or National Guard or State Guard;
  3. Be active duty or have an Honorable Discharge, or General Discharge under Honorable Conditions (if separated or retired); 
  4. Be eligible for VA services; 
  5. Suffer from a brain injury, mental illness or mental disorder, or was a victim of military sexual trauma, that occurred during or resulted form the defendant's military service; and
  6. The charged offense must have been effected by the mental illness or disorder, substance abuse disorder, or other traumatic disorder suffered due to military service.

All applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and not all criminal charges are eligible for Veterans Treatment Court. Many factors, including prior convictions, are considered.

The VTC program is voluntary and involves a four-phase program with at least fourteen (14) months of treatment. Participants may enter the VTC through probation or a pre-trial diversion contract.

Compliance with probation conditions  and treatment conditions are mandatory. The staffing committee determines whether or not an applicant is tentatively eligible. The Department of Veterans Affairs examines the defendant and provides information for further assessment. The presiding judge of the trial court makes the final determination on whether or not an applicant is able to participate in Veteran Treatment Court.

Veterans participating in VTC are given access to appointed defense counsel for the duration of proceedings.

The VTC dockets are held in the 359th District Courtroom at 207 West Phillips, 3rd Floor, Conroe, Texas 77301 on the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month beginning at 5:00 PM.

VTC TEAM:


Kathleen Hamilton - Presiding Judge

Mike Shirley - Prosecutor (936.539.7800) Mike.Shirley@mctx.org   

Tay Bond- Defense Counsel (936.539.1007) etaybond@gmail.com

 Candace Witt - VA Representative (713.791.1414)

Courtney Dever - Probation Officer (936.538.8134)

Yolanda Alatorre- VTC Court Coordinator (936.538.8195) Yolanda.Alatorre@mctx.org 

Shirley Uriostegui - Mentor Coordinator (936.521.6132) ShirleyU@tcbhc.org

Steps to Apply to Veterans Treatment Court: 

STEP 1: 

 Submit the following forms to Veteran Court Coordinator Yolanda Alatorre (yolanda.alatorre@mctx.org) and Mike Shirley (mike.shirley@mctx.org) with the DA's office for pre-approval:

                  Application

                  VA Form for Release of Information (must be submitted with application)

                  DD214 (if no longer on active duty)
                     
                     Summary of Military Service

Step 2 - VA Form for Release of Information

After initial approval is received from the DA, obtain medical qualification from the VA:

                     Submit VA Form for Release of Information to:

                     Attn: Candace Witt, LCSW VJO specialist via fax # 713-791-7647 or it can be scanned and sent via email to
Candace.Witt@va.gov.  He will then facilitate the medical interview.

STEP 3:

After qualification is verified by the VA, and approval for admittance into VTC is received by the DA, contact the Veterans Treatment Court Coordinator to obtain next court date and VTC participant documents.

OTHER INFORMATION:

Policy Manual

Click here to view a video with general information Veterans Treatment Courts

Click here to read an article about the success of Veterans Treatment Courts  

TVC FVA Logo large
"This program is supported by
a grant from the Texas Veterans
Commission Fund for Veterans'
Assistance
. The Fund for Veterans'
Assistance
provides grants to
organizations serving veterans and their families."

https://www.tvc.texas.gov/



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