The DeKalb County Veterans Treatment Court (DCVTC) is a two-year judicially supervised alternative sentencing program offered by the DeKalb County Superior Court. DCVTC is designed to engage moderate to high risk/high needs adult felony offenders with substance use and/or mental health disorders who have served in the Armed Forces.
DCVTC formally began operation in October 2016 and begin providing treatment services in mid- January 2017. Veterans voluntarily participate in treatment and recovery groups developed collaboratively by court staff, veteran health care professionals, veteran peer mentors, and other treatment providers.
The participants in DCVTC also have a Veteran Justice Officer (VJO) to serve as an advocate via the Veteran’s Administration (VA) and the Court system. The VJO further assists with establishing and/or re-establishing services for Vets (with honorable discharges) with the VA. DeKalb is unique in that Veterans with all military discharge statuses are allowed to participate in the program, provided they meet the eligibility criteria. Veteran participants have the opportunity to learn coping skill strategies to assist with maintaining everyday life stressors as well as receiving services from a variety of organizations. While other Courts may rely solely on the VA to provide treatment, DeKalb provides services in-house, just as the Drug Court and the Mental Health Court do. This is another way DeKalb County is not only serving but giving back to those who have served. DCVTC has reviewed over 70 cases since inception and has served over 35 veterans to allow them the opportunity to succeed, following their service.
The DCVTC is another successful collaborative effort of the Superior Court, the District Attorney’s Office, the Public Defender’s Office, Community Service Board, Pretrial Services, the DeKalb County Police Department, and the Sheriff’s Office.
