Vet Court

Understanding Veterans Enhanced Therapeutic Courts (VETC)

VET Court is a therapeutic program designed to help veterans who have committed misdemeanor offenses. This non-adversarial approach includes veterans diagnosed with conditions such as Post Traumatic Stress (PTS), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and Military Sexual Trauma (MST), offering a resolution process that emphasizes rehabilitation over punishment.

The Role of Spokane Veterans Forum (SVF):
While separate from VET Court, SVF supports veterans during their court-ordered resolution process by:

• Mentorship: Each veteran is paired with a veteran mentor who provides ongoing support.
• Community: Encourages veterans to engage with others through regular contact and monthly meetings.
• Program Completion: Celebrates program graduates, who often see their charges dismissed or reduced.

SVF operates entirely on volunteer efforts, currently supporting 60 mentors and 110 veteran defendants, all at no cost to the veterans.

VET Court’s Collaborative Mission

VET Courts bring together multiple agencies, including the VA, Public Defender’s Office, and community partners, to offer an alternative to incarceration focused on treatment and recovery. The primary mission is to provide a collaborative, non-adversarial strategy that holds veterans accountable while reintegrating them into the community.

Goals of VET Court:

• Promote recovery and stability for veteran participants.
• Enhance public safety and awareness.
• Reduce criminal justice system involvement and associated costs.
• Provide therapeutic, educational, and mentoring support through collaboration with courts and the Spokane Veterans Forum.