Indiana Cnty. C.P. Veteran Court Policies and Procedures 6

regulations and sanctions of Veterans Treatment Court.

Disqualifying Criteria

Not every defendant is eligible for inclusion in the VTC. The following criteria

disqualify defendants from inclusion:

1. Where the offense(s) involve: murder, arson, voluntary manslaughter, Megan’s

Law Offenses, crimes against children, kidnapping, escape, robbery, and assault

by prisoner.

2. Defendant is not in need of treatment.

3. Unresolved out-of-county or out-of-state criminal charges.

4. Defendant has a medical condition or mental health diagnosis that does not

allow for functional participation in the VTC.

The VTC Team shall reserve the right to exercise discretion in considering other

disqualifying criteria including but not limited to: sentencing requirements based upon

the prior record score and seriousness of the offense, previous participation in a

specialized treatment court, defendant’s unwillingness/inability to terminate use of

lawfully prescribed controlled substances or over the counter medications that affect the

integrity and accuracy of drug screening and program participation, victim’s position (if

any), and arresting officer’s position (if any) as to the Defendant’s participation in VTC.

The Indiana County Veteran’s treatment Court does not discriminate on the basis of race,

color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation and/or gender

identity.

REFERRAL SOURCES

Referrals may originate from, but are not limited to, the following sources:

 Prison Staff

 Veteran’s Administration

 Judges

 Probation Officers

 District Attorneys

 Public/Private Defense Attorneys

 Domestic Relations Enforcement

 PFA Court

 Magisterial District Judges

 Self-referrals

 Family Members

 Police Officers

PROCEDURE FOR ENTRY INTO VTC - NEW CHARGES

1. Someone tentatively identifies Defendant as a veteran.

2. Defendant fills out the Veterans Treatment Court Application.

3. Defendant is provided a VTC Participant Handbook for review.

4. Once the Defendant completes the VTC application, it is submitted to the

Treatment Court Coordinator, who in turn will provide to the District Attorney’s

Office for a criminal eligibility review and the VJO Specialist for benefit eligibility

determination and clinical assessment. The District Attorney’s Office will render a

Criminal Eligibility determination within seventy-two (72) hours of receipt of the

application and notify the Treatment Court Coordinator and the VJO Specialist. The

District Attorney will define Defendant’s track (diversionary or incentive)

eligibility.

5. If eligibility is established by the VJO Specialist, notice shall be provided to the

Treatment Court Coordinator, who shall arrange for the Defendant’s application

and related documents and reports to be forwarded to the VTC team for review

and consideration.

6. Once the VTC team receives the Defendant’s request, it shall then consider

approving placement in the VTC and make appropriate recommendations for the

Defendant’s treatment plan.