Bucks County Veterans Treatment Court Program

The Bucks County Veterans Treatment Court Program is a special, problem-solving court that provides comprehensive treatment and alternative sentencing options for our county’s honorably discharged veterans.

As citizens of the United States, we owe a profound debt of gratitude to our military veterans. It is our duty to honor and appreciate their sacrifices and recognize their invaluable contributions to our nation.

With nearly 800,000 veterans living in our communities, Pennsylvania is home to the fourth highest population of veterans in the country. It is imperative that we support them during good times and bad.

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Bucks County Veterans in the Criminal Justice System

Some veterans may face challenges that lead them into contact with the criminal justice system. Nevertheless, it’s essential that every veteran is afforded the opportunity for a second chance to rebuild their lives.

To facilitate this, the Bucks County Veterans Treatment Court Program was established to assist Bucks County veterans cycling through the county court, probation and parole, and prison system.

Through the collaborative efforts of the Treatment Court Judge, the District Attorney’s Office, the Public Defender’s Office, the Veterans Health Administration, the Adult Probation Office, and fellow veteran mentors, combat veterans receive help for PTSD, TBI, MST, substance abuse, and mental health issues directly related to their combat experience.

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Mission of the Veterans Treatment Court Program

The mission of the Veterans Treatment Program is to enhance public safety and reduce recidivism of criminal defendants who are veterans by connecting them with VA benefits, treatment services and veteran services supports and to find appropriate dispositions to their criminal charges by considering the defendant’s treatment needs against the seriousness of the offense(s) and the impact of the crime on the victim and the community.

Goals of the Veterans Treatment Court Program

Connect the veteran with a mentor who will assist with getting benefits, treatment, and support services.
Reduce the amount of time the veteran will spend in custody and in the criminal justice system.
Help with employment to ensure the veteran continues to be a productive member of the community

Veterans Treatment Court Program Eligibility

Who is Eligible for the Bucks County Veterans Treatment Court Program?

To be eligible for the Bucks County Veterans Treatment Court Program, you must apply to the District Attorney’s Office with a certified copy of your DD214 and meet the following criteria:

Bucks County resident
Veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, including Reserves
Received an honorable discharge and is eligible for VA benefits
Diagnosed with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Military Sexual Trauma (MST), or psychological and/or substance abuse problems requiring treatment.
Have a connection between your military service, diagnosis, and current offense; issues resulting from your military service must have materially affected your criminal conduct
Participation in program will require the waiver of the veteran defendant’s preliminary hearing.

Who is NOT Eligible for the Bucks County Veterans Treatment Court Program?

Not all veterans will be eligible for this program. While each case is considered individually, the following offenses are typically excluded from the program:

Felony Sex Crimes
Felony Crimes of Violence
Firearm Offenses
Felony Drug Offenses
Homicide in any form will not be considered under any circumstances
Defendants with any unresolved out of county charges are not eligible. It is the responsibility of the offender and his counsel to resolve these matters before admitted into the Bucks County Program.

Acceptance into the Veterans Treatment Court Program

Once the veteran has applied to the Bucks County Veterans Treatment Court Program, he or she will be required to waive their preliminary hearing. In addition, the veteran will be assigned a volunteer mentor from the local VA and will begin a treatment and recovery plan.

When the veteran is formally accepted into the program, he or she must enter a plea to certain agreed upon charges, or be placed into the ARD program if eligible, and admit to the acts leading to criminal prosecution.

Thereafter the veteran will continue with treatment, regularly meet with their mentor, agree to regular court appearances, perform community service, remain alcohol and drug free, and perform any other condition of bail or ARD as directed by the Common Pleas Judge hearing the veteran’s case. Conditions will be specifically outlined by the program agreement and signed by the veteran and his or her attorney.

Moreover, the veteran’s case will be continued for six months. Prior to entry into the program, each veteran is aware what the disposition of their case will be. Such proposed dispositions can include guilty pleas to reduced charges, placement in the ARD program or an agreement to a term of probation rather than imprisonment.

Should the veteran not complete all program requirements or commits a new criminal offense, he or she could be removed from the program and lose the benefits of any negotiated plea.

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