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Clark County’s Veterans Therapeutic Court (VETCO) provides a means to successfully rehabilitate veterans by diverting them from the traditional criminal justice system and providing them with the tools they need to lead productive and law-abiding lives through treatment, rehabilitative programming, reinforcement and judicial monitoring.
The program is an alternative treatment and sentencing option for defendants suffering from an underlying substance disorder and/or mental illness and facing criminal charges. Veterans must voluntarily participate in a judicially supervised treatment plan developed by a team of court staff, probation and law enforcement officers, veteran peer mentors, veteran resource professionals, and treatment professionals. The program is divided into four phases and is a minimum of one year in length.
As of 06/03/2019, VETCO now includes a “pre-plea” program that accepts both misdemeanor and felony offenses. The Court still accepts post -plea cases as well for District Court only. To participate on a pre-plea basis, the defendant must voluntarily agree to waive his or her rights to a speedy and jury trial. The participant will also agree to a stipulated facts trial in the event of termination or opting out of the program. Finally, the defendant agrees to enter and abide by the conditions set forth in the program contract. If a participant successfully completes the program (graduates), the pending charges will be dismissed, with prejudice.
Eligibility
The participant must be:
- An adult who resides in Clark County
- Admits to having a substance use disorder and/or a mental health condition that is driving his or her criminal behavior
- Must also pass a background check with confirmation of honorable veteran discharge status (must be eligible for medical benefits through the VA)
- Must be non-violent / non-sex offender status
- Must volunteer for the program and serve any mandatory minimums (post-plea program) and clear any/all outstanding warrants prior to entering
VETCO Forms for Participants
Veterans Therapeutic Court brochure (PDF)