VETERANS TREATMENT COURTSLEGISLATIVE REPORT
Public Chapter 943
Prepared by: Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts2012
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................................................1GROUPS/PERSONS CONTACTED BY THE AOC.....................................................................1SCOPE OF REPORT......................................................................................................................2DISCLAIMER................................................................................................................................2POLICY DECISIONS....................................................................................................................2WEBSITES.....................................................................................................................................2INTERIM REPORT.......................................................................................................................3SUMMARY OF CONCLUSIONS.................................................................................................3WHAT IS A PROBLEM-SOLVING COURT?..............................................................................5HOW DOES A VETERANS TREATMENT COURT DIFFER FROM OTHER TYPES OFPROBLEM-SOLVING COURTS?.................................................................................................7HOW WERE VETERANS TREATMENT COURTS CREATED?...............................................8HOW ARE TENNESSEE’S COURTS CURRENTLY SERVING VETERANS AND SERVICEMEMBERS?...................................................................................................................................9POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER, MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA, TRAUMATICBRAIN INJURY, DEPLOYMENT STRESSORS, AND READJUSTMENT CHALLENGES...10Deployment Stressors......................................................................................................10Readjustment Challenges.................................................................................................11Mental Health Issues and Resources Generally................................................................11Trauma Generally............................................................................................................12Traumatic Brain Injury.....................................................................................................12Military Sexual Trauma...................................................................................................13Posttraumatic Stress Disorder..........................................................................................14Co-Occurring Disorders...................................................................................................15Screenings and DOD/VA Files........................................................................................15SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUES...................................................................................................16Reasons for Alcohol/Drug Use........................................................................................16Recovery Challenges........................................................................................................16VARIOUS METHODS OF ASSISTING VETERANS AND SERVICE MEMBERS.................18Veterans and Service Members without Mental Health and/or Substance Abuse
Issues...............................................................................................................................18Incorporating Veterans and Service Members into Existing Problem-Solving Courts.....19Judicial Districts or Counties Which Do Not Have Existing Problem-Solving Courts.....19Incarceration....................................................................................................................20ISSUES WHICH MUST BE RESOLVED WHEN CREATING A VETERANS TREATMENTCOURT.........................................................................................................................................20What Is The Definition of “Veteran”?..............................................................................22Veterans vs. Service Members.........................................................................................23How Many Veterans Reside in Tennessee?.....................................................................24What Procedure Should Courts Use To Identify Veterans And/Or Service Members......25Should The VTC Be Presided Over By A Trial Court Or General Sessions CourtJudge?..............................................................................................................................26Should The VTC Be A Pre-Adjudication Court, A Post-Adjudication Court, Or ACombination Thereof?.....................................................................................................27 Nature And/Or Number Of Prior And Current Criminal Offenses...................................28Medical Conditions..........................................................................................................29Relationship Between The Military Service, The Mental Health And/Or SubstanceAbuse Issues, And The Commission Of The Offense(s)..................................................29Combat Veterans..............................................................................................................30Screenings........................................................................................................................30Privacy/Confidentiality/Constitutional Issues..................................................................32Mentors............................................................................................................................33Role of the Mentor..............................................................................................33Selecting Mentors...............................................................................................36Training Mentors.................................................................................................38Resources............................................................................................................38Transportation..................................................................................................................38Defense Counsel..............................................................................................................40Program Evaluations........................................................................................................40Costs................................................................................................................................41Regional Courts...............................................................................................................41COMMUNITY SUPERVISION...................................................................................................41SANCTIONS AND INCENTIVES..............................................................................................42VETERANS TREATMENT COURT PHASES...........................................................................44Phase One........................................................................................................................45Phase Two........................................................................................................................46Phase Three......................................................................................................................47Graduation.......................................................................................................................48Termination/Withdrawal From Program..........................................................................48COSTS AND FUNDING OPTIONS............................................................................................48Treatment And Screening Costs.......................................................................................49Staff.................................................................................................................................50Miscellaneous Non-Treatment Costs...............................................................................51