What is the Rutherford County Veterans Treatment Court?
What is the Rutherford County Veterans Treatment Court?The Rutherford County Recovery Court has recently added a new Veterans Treatment Court to meet the specific needs of the men and women who have served our country and returned with challenges as a result of their experiences in difficult circumstances. The Rutherford County Veterans Treatment Court’s goal is to give veterans a new chance at a stable and productive life. Through a judicially structured program, eligible veteran-defendants with substance dependency and/or mental illness, who are charged with felony or misdemeanor non-violent criminal offense(s), are furloughed to a specialized criminal court docket. Veterans are identified through evidence-based screening and assessments which includes a mental health evaluation, and an alcohol/substance abuse assessment. Veterans participating in this program are supervised by case managers assigned to assist the veteran with his or her specific plan of treatment. Judge Ben Hall McFarlin presides over the court.
There are phases of the program that must be completed by qualified participants.
What Is The Benefit Of The Veterans Court?
It ultimately reduces the length and use of incarceration, and reduces the recidivism rate of crimes related to substance abuse. A Veterans Court judge better understands the issues that a veteran may be struggling with, such as substance dependency, PTSD and traumatic brain injury. Approximately 16-20 percent of all veterans who served in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom suffer from substance abuse or a combat-related mental illnesses. Left untreated, these disorders can directly lead to homelessness and an increase involvement in the criminal justice system.
Attorney Frank Lannom (615) 444-3995