Veterans Treatment Court

The Ninth Judicial Circuit Veterans Treatment Court is a voluntary 5 phase program (15 month minimum) for adults with prior military service, including National Guard, Coast Guard and reservists who have been charged with one or more criminal offenses in Charleston County, South Carolina, and who are struggling with addiction, mental illness and/or trauma-related disorders such as PTSD. In order to assist those veterans with magistrate level charges, a voluntary 3 phase program (six month minimum) has been put in place for those who qualify. The Magistate Level Program is designed to be a 6 month program.

The mission of the Ninth Judicial Circuit Veterans Treatment Court is to honor the service of justice-involved veterans by providing a rehabilitative program that combines intensive judicial supervision, mentorship, and treatment services to address veteran’s treatment needs, and enhances public safety by returning law-abiding and productive citizens to the community.

Participants must plead guilty upfront to current charge and accept the negotiated sentence which will be imposed if terminated from Veterans Treatment Court. However, the charges for participants with addiction issues will be dismissed upon successful completion of the five-phase program.

Veteran participants will be involved in treatment programs over approximately 15 months, which includes attending weekly court appearances, meeting with a veteran mentor regularly, attending self-help meetings, submitting to random drug testing and attending all treatment sessions. Your attorney or Public Defender will provide you with application information.

Applicant Information

This program has been created for those who are ready to face their addiction and mental health issues. If you are a justice-involved veteran with addiction and/or mental health issues, here is important information for your consideration:

1. You must be clinically assessed and a determination must be made that you suffer from addiction and/or mental health issues
2. You must apply to the Veterans Treatment Court, get solicitor approval based on current and prior charges, and be approved by the Veterans Court staff.
3. Any victims associated with your charges must not object to consideration of your participation in Veterans Treatment Court.
4. You must plead guilty upfront to your current charges and accept the negotiated sentence that will be imposed if terminated from Veterans Treatment Court. This plea and sentence will be dismissed upon successful completion and graduation.

To apply to Veterans Treatment Court, please ask your lawyer or Public Defender for a referral. Public Defender Charleston- 843-958-1850; Berkeley- 843-899-2777

Requirements

As a Veterans Treatment Court participant, you will be required to fully participate in the program.

Court will be on every Tuesday at 1600 at the Charleston County Judicial Center, 100 Broad Street, Charleston, SC 29401

You will be required to:

• pay $30 every Wednesday
• attend treatment sessions 2-3 times per week as required by your treatment provider
• attend a minimum of two self-help meetings per week
• submit to a random urine drug screen Monday-Saturday and be responsible to call testing daily
• submit to a random hair drug screen approximately every 90 days
• attain and maintain employment, education, or waiver and show proof each week at court
• pay back all restitution that may be ordered with associated charges

NOTE that failure to comply* with any of the above will result in progressive sanctions including dismissal from the program. Arrest warrants and/or new arrests and charges could result in being terminated from the program and, if so, you will immediately begin serving your pre-negotiated prison sentence. You DO NOT get credit for your time spent in Veterans Treatment Court. The Veterans Treatment Court Staff will make all decisions regarding termination from the program. You are entitled to a Due Process Hearing prior to termination.

*Failure to comply includes consistently missing and/or failing numerous drug tests and/or hair tests, demonstrating a lack of program participation, failing to cooperate with the treatment counselor, and failure to work through the program.

To apply to Veterans Treatment Court, please ask your lawyer for a referral.

Mentor Program

The Ninth Judicial Circuit Veterans Treatment Court relies on cooperation and collaboration among the criminal justice system, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, veteran’s service organizations, and community treatment agencies to provide comprehensive treatment for veterans. In addition to these entities, the Court also relies on Veteran Mentors. Veteran Mentors are veterans or qualified active duty personnel of the U.S. Armed Forces who volunteer their time to assist the Court.

Mentor duties and responsibilities include meeting with your Veteran Treatment Court participant once a week for at least one hour, including participation at court. To be eligible, the mentor must be in good standing with the law and agree to adhere to all of the Ninth Judicial Circuit Veterans Treatment Court program’s policies and procedures and its mentoring program. All mentors must commit to participation for a minimum of (1) year or until Ninth Judicial Circuit Veterans Treatment Court participant graduates. Mentors must complete the required Mentor Orientation Program and any training as specified by the court prior to participation in the Ninth Judicial Circuit Veterans Treatment Court.

Download the Mentor Application

Download the Mentor Guide

Contact

Veterans Treatment Court

Irvin G. Condon, Judge of Probate
Peter A. Kouten, Associate Judge of Probate
Charleston County Adult Drug Court
100 Broad Street, Suite 469
Charleston, SC 29401

Phone: (843)958-5180
Fax: (843)958-5191

Hollen D. Sellers
Veterans' Court Coordinator
100 Broad Street, Suite 469
Charleston, SC 29401

Phone: (843)958-5186
Fax: (843)958-5178
Email: hsellers@charlestoncounty.org

Solicitor's Office

Stephanie B. Linder
Managing Assistant Solicitor
101 Meeting Street, 4th Floor
Charleston, SC 29401

Phone: (843)958-1900

Public Defender's Office

Karen Barker
Assistant Public Defender
101 Meeting Street, 5th Floor
Charleston, SC 29401

Phone: (843)958-1850

Tammie J. Coppinger
Assistant Public Defender
101 Meeting Street, 5th Floor
Charleston, SC 29401

Phone: (843)958-1850

Stephen M. Bowden
Assistant Public Defender
101 Meeting Street, 5th Floor
Charleston, SC 29401

Phone: (843)958-1850

Veterans Administration

Meredith Miller
Veterans Justice Outreach Coordinator
Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center
109 Bee Street
Charleston, SC 29401

Phone: (843)297-0019
Email: Meredith.Miller2@va.gov

Municipalities

City of Charleston
City of Folly Beach
City of North Charleston
City of Isle of Palms
Town of Awendaw
Town of Hollywood
Town of James Island
Town of Kiawah Island
Town of Lincolnville
Town of McClellanville
Town of Meggett
Town of Mount Pleasant
Town of Ravenel
Town of Rockville
Town of Seabrook Island
Town of Sullivan's Island

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