Veteran's Court Program - Presiding Judge Tyra Jones McCollum

Veterans Court Program - Presiding Judge Tyra Jones McCollum

 

Men and women who serve in our military branches pay a cost to protect our freedoms that often continues long after their service ends. The Fort Bend County Veterans Court Program (FBCVCP) provides these service personnel the opportunity to successfully reintegrate into their Fort Bend community after facing legal entanglements in the criminal justice system.

Overview

The Fort Bend County Veterans Court Program provides judicially supervised treatment options for veterans currently facing prosecution for one or more criminal offenses. The program focuses on transferring veterans from the traditional criminal justice process and providing them with rehabilitative and reformative options. To enter the program, the veteran must been screened, assessed, and approved. Once that process is complete, the veteran will begin the treatment program tailored to his/her needs.

Mission

The mission of the Fort Bend County Veterans Court Program is to successfully rehabilitate veterans by diverting them from the traditional criminal justice system and provide them with the tools they need to lead a productive and law-abiding lifestyle while improving mental health recovery and successful re-entry into the community.

Goals

The program's goals are to identify eligible veterans, assess their needs, offer assistance, manage their care, and provide them with successful treatment options which support community reintegration and resolution of their criminal case(s).

Eligibility Criteria

  • Veteran or current member of the United States Armed Forces, including a member of the Reserves, National Guard, or State Guard
  • Honorable or General Discharge, active duty or reserves
  • Have pending eligible offense
  • Be a legal resident of/or citizen of the United States
  • Be a resident of Fort Bend County or surrounding counties
  • Suffers from a brain injury, mental illness, or mental health disorder, or was a victim of military sexual trauma that:
    • Occurred during or resulted from military service; and
    • Affected the criminal conduct at issue
  • Be eligible for Veterans Affairs (VA) services
  • If participation, considering the circumstances, personal and social background, and criminal history is likely to achieve the Veteran’s rehabilitation and ensures public safety
  • State (District Attorney’s Office) consents to participation in the program

Exclusions

  • A pending case for sexual assault, drug delivery or Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 42.12 Sec.3(g) offense, except for aggravated assault
  • A prior conviction or deferred adjudication for sexual assault or a Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 42.12 Sec.3(g) offense, except for aggravated assault
  • The person is seriously and persistently mentally ill and cannot participate
  • Previous termination or graduation from a Veterans Court Program
  • Dishonorable Discharge from the United States Armed Forces

Referrals

The Honorable Judge Tyra Jones McCollum presides over the Veterans Court for both felony and misdemeanor offenses. Referrals to FBCVCP may be accepted from a variety of sources, including law enforcement, jail staff, judges, defense attorneys, prosecutors, mental health professionals, and family or friends.


Those admitted to the court will receive pre-trial intervention, deferred adjudication, or community supervision disposition of their case. Veterans Court is a three-phase program. Each phase requires successful completion. The length of the program may be up to 24 months. The Fort Bend County Veterans Court Program will consist of a court docket that meets monthly.
The Veterans Court team is comprised of the judge, prosecutor(s), defense attorneys, a community supervision officer, case managers, and representatives from the Veterans Administration Medical Center. A unique feature of the Veterans Court team is the MEDVAMC Jail Diversion Team that includes a Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) Coordinator/Court Liaison and a Forensic Psychiatrist.


The Jail Diversion Team will provide thorough evaluations which assess psychiatric, psychosocial, and substance abuse service needs. The FBCVC team links Veterans to appropriate treatment and rehabilitation services. The VJO Coordinator will coordinate and monitor treatment adherence while the psychiatrist will address psychiatric treatment needs. Together this treatment team will provide progress reports for the Veterans Court Team.

Program Cost

There is no fee to participate in the FBCVCP. However, the Veteran may be responsible for some costs of treatment services including, but not limited to drug urinalysis, substance use monitoring services, inpatient/outpatient treatment, counseling, etc. As many costs as possible are reduced or subsidized.

Protocol

The Fort Bend County Veterans Court consists of three (3) phases totaling between six (6) and twenty-four (24) months. In addition to the phase requirements, the Presiding Judge reserves the right to set specific individual goals that must be accomplished between court appearances. The Veterans Court Community Supervision Officer will review all goals prior to all court appearances and make recommendations based on completion and success. The Veteran’s movement from phase to phase individually depends on time, successful completion of each phase's requirements, and team recommendations.

Phases

Phase One - up to 6 months

  • Meet with the community supervision officer for 3 face-to-face contacts per month, with 1 of the 3 contacts being in the field at the veteran's home or other location
  • Progress review before the judge once per month
  • Report to counselors and treatment providers per the individualized treatment plan

Phase Two - up to 6 months

  • Meet with the community supervision officer up to two (2) face-to-face contacts per month, with field visits as needed
  • Progress review before the judge once per month
  • Report to counselors and treatment providers per the individualized treatment plan

Phase Three - up to 12 months

  • Meet with the community supervision officer once per month
  • Progress review before the judge once per month
  • Report to counselors and treatment providers per the individualized treatment plan

Sanctions and Incentives

Failure to comply with treatment recommendations, Veterans Court program regulations, or the commission of a new offense may result in sanctions. Program infractions and sanctions can include, but are not limited to:

Infractions

  • Missed treatment appointments
  • Missed probation appointments
  • Missed court appearances
  • Abuse of drugs and/or alcohol
  • Refusal to provide urine screens
  • Positive urine screens
  • Failure or refusal to take prescribed medications
  • Violation of rules of the treatment program
  • Violation of rules of housing provider, including curfew
  • Threatening behavior, including verbal threat of violence
  • Other non-compliance with treatment recommendations
  • Violation of probation terms and conditions

Sanctions

  • Assign to write an essay
  • Verbal warning/admonishment
  • Increased frequency of drug testing
  • Increased frequency of court appearances
  • Increased frequency of probation and/or Pre-trial reporting
  • Increased support group meetings
  • Loss of privileges at residential treatment facilities
  • Serving time in jail
  • Imposition of a curfew
  • Community service increase
  • More restrictive Pre-Trial services program
  • Restart of the current phase
  • Removal from the program

Incentives

Incentives may be awarded by the Presiding Judge for compliance with the established treatment plan, the rules of the Veterans Court Program, the rules of the Fort Bend CSCD, and all other conditions or requirements associated with participation in the program. Incentives can include, but are not limited to:

  • Praise, acclaim or recognition from the Judge
  • Gift cards or gift certificates
  • Decreased visits with Community Supervision Officer
  • Decreased participation in self-help meetings, such as AA or NA
  • Decreased treatment requirements
  • Forgiveness of additional community service hours
  • Reduction or suspension of unpaid fines
  • Phase advancement
  • Recognition certificate and token at a graduation ceremony
  • Graduation celebration

Veterans Court mandates following a treatment plan, which will include some or all the following components (treatment recommendations may change as individual treatment needs change).

  • Abstinence from illegal drugs and alcohol
  • Medication compliance
  • Participation in a substance abuse treatment program
  • Participation in a behavioral health treatment program
  • Participation in a self-help group or program
  • Intensive or Supportive case management services
  • Supported residential housing
  • Education services
  • Employment or vocational rehabilitation
  • Regular appointments with a VA case manager and/or VJO
  • Regular appointments with a psychiatrist or mental health provider
  • Psychosocial or recreational program

Handbook

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