VETERANS TREATMENT COURT (VTC)

The 21st Judicial District Court Veterans Treatment Court is a court-supervised program coupled with intensive treatment and supervision, directed at diverting individuals with prior military service from the traditional criminal justice framework.  It is a hybrid of the current Drug and Mental Health Court models, serving veteran-status individuals struggling with addiction, mental illness, trauma-related disorders such as PTSD, and/or co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorders. This is a voluntary program that includes regular court appearances before the designated Veterans Treatment Court Judge.  It also involves drug and alcohol treatment, random drug testing, support group meetings, educational classes, and community supervision. 

Louisiana’s Veterans Court Program Statute is R.S. 13:5366.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR VETERANS TREATMENT COURT?

A defendant can only be considered eligible if:

  • is a Veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States as defined by R.S. 13:5364(1).

  • has an open misdemeanor or felony case in the 21st Judicial District Court or lives in the 21st Judicial District (Livingston, St. Helena, or Tangipahoa Parish) and has their probation transferred to our district and had Veterans Treatment Court as a condition of their probation.

  • is willing to voluntarily participate and comply with any recommended treatment.

  • does not have a prior felony conviction for an offense defined as a homicide in R.S. 14:29 or as a sex offense in R.S. 15:541, or any pending criminal proceeding alleging the commission of an offense defined as a homicide in R.S. 14:29 or as a sex offense in R.S. 15:541.

  • the crime before the court cannot be a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol or any other drug or drugs that resulted in the death of a person.

  • the crime before the court is domestic abuse battery as defined in R.S. 14:35.3 or domestic abuse aggravated assault as defined in R.S. 14:37.7, the defendant shall comply with the following additional requirements as conditions of eligibility in the Veterans Treatment Court Program: 1.) Completion of a court-monitored domestic abuse intervention program as defined by R.S. 14:35.3 and 2.) No ownership or possession of a firearm while under the supervision of the Veterans Treatment Court program or court-ordered probation.

  • is 18 years of age or older.

  • is considered legally competent.

  • can meet the Federal Criteria of a Preliminarily Qualified Offender (34 U.S.C. § 10651).

    • Preliminarily Qualified Offender is:

      • An individual accused of an offense who has been determined by the prosecuting attorney, defense attorney, probation or corrections official, judge, and a representative from the relevant mental health agency to not pose a risk of violence to any person in the program or public; and

      • Has not been charged with or convicted of:

  1. any sex offense or any offense relating to the sexual exploitation of children.

  2. murder or assault with intent to commit murder.

Office

Physical Address: 12047 Old Baton Rouge Hwy., Hammond, LA 70403

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 788, Amite, LA 70422

Office: (985) 747-6766

Fax: (985) 747-6767

Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday from 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM (closed from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM for lunch) and 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

STAFF

Craig Meyer, Case Manager

Office: (985) 747-6766

Email: cmeyer@21stjdc.org

Pam McHale, Secretary

Office: (985) 747-6766

5/01/2024 Veterans Treatment Court Graduation

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Want to become a Volunteer Veteran Mentor?

If you meet and are willing to comply with the above requirements, please apply by using one of the application options below:

 
 

After completing your application please email your application and DD214 to veterans@21stjdc.org.

or

you can submit your application by using our online application form:

After completing your online application please email a copy of your DD214 to veterans@21stjdc.org.

 
 

Local VETERANS RESOURCES