Eligibility

The Kent County Veterans Treatment Court (KCVTC) program is only for veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States as defined in MCL 600.1200 (h).  KCVTC is a court-supervised, alternative/diversionary program coupled with intensive treatment, supervision and substance abuse testing, for non-violent criminal offenders.  KCVTC is designed to address those Veterans who are committing criminal offenses, related to injuries that were incurred through military service, as well as those committed through a failure to adequately address issues attendant to military service. KCVTC utilizes the 10 key concepts of Veteran Treatment Courts, as defined in MCL 600.1201(1) (a-j). Participation in KCVTC is voluntary.

Veteran Treatment Courts are problem solving “hybrid” specialty courts, that address a Veterans’ mental health and/or substance abuse problems, within the context of the criminal justice system (see above).  A holistic non-traditional/non-adversarial approach is used, in conjunction with the Veterans’ discipline, focus and personal accountability, to help ensure the public safety as well as individual probationary success. KCVTC was established in June 2015 and is based at the 62-A District Court in Wyoming.  KCVTC is available for those veterans who are residents of Kent County, Michigan.

Website: http://wyomingmi.gov/KCVTC

Facebook: www.facebook.com/KCVTC

Expectations

The program includes regular court appearances of twice per month before the KCVTC judge in a court session open to the public. Everyone in attendance who observes must sign a confidentiality agreement and have the judge’s prior approval. Sessions are intended for candid dialogue.

The program also includes regular meetings with the Probation Officer, random drug and alcohol testing, and occasional home visits. Participants are expected to take advantage of the support services tailored specifically for them by the Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) and/or the KCVTC program staff, as well as the VA’s network of providers. Participants can expect to work hard on treatment. The program is not meant to be easy.

Felony & Misdemeanor Tracks

Since program inception, the current success rate of Kent County Veterans Treatment Court is 93.02% (as of 8/21/2020).

Funding

Funding for this program is provided from the Kent County Veterans Millage, and also by grant(s) from the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) of Michigan. These funds cover the basic costs of administering this program.

Additional funds donated through The Friends of Kent County Veterans Treatment Court (FKCVTC) allow the program to address other needs of the participants, defraying the cost of some of their peripheral needs and expenses.