
WHAT IS VET COURT?
The Shelby County Veterans’ Court provides a means to divert eligible veteran participants from the traditional criminal justice system and provide them support and rehabilitation through comprehensive substance abuse and/or mental health treatment; education; vocational programs; and community resource referrals for housing, childcare, and transportation, all while being judicially monitored.
When a Veteran is identified at the time of a criminal booking in Shelby County, he or she may be referred to Veterans' Court to be assessed for eligibility in a rehabilitation plan.
Upon completion of a personalized and closely-supervised Court program typically lasting two years, the Veteran may graduate and, if deemed appropriate by the Court, have the criminal charges expunged.
Implemented in 2012, it is the first and largest Veterans’ Treatment Court in the State of Tennessee. The Court requires complete commitment from participants, and has a single-digit recidivism rate.
Find out more on the court's website at https://veteranscourt.shelbycountytn.gov/about-us.