Hernando County – Veteran’s Treatment Court

• Hernando County Veterans’ Treatment Court Brochure
• Hernando County Veteran’s Treatment Court Application
• Hernando County Veterans’ Treatment Court Mentor Application

The Hernando County Veterans’ Treatment Court is a special division of the Hernando County Court system. It is a Court-supervised program for those arrested on felony charges in Hernando County who have a mental illness, substance abuse, or other mental health condition related to their military service, who need treatment and other services, and who choose to participate in the HCVTC instead of having their case proceed through the regular court process.

The Mission of the HCVTC is to promote public safety while supporting eligible veterans and their families through a coordinated effort among veterans’ services, community services and the Court to leave no eligible veteran behind. NOTE: This mission is in furtherance of implementing in Hernando County the provisions of the “T. Patt Maney Veterans’ Treatment Intervention Act” passed by the Florida Legislature as Section 16 of Chapter 2012-159 of the Laws of Florida and signed into law by Florida’s Governor to take effect on July 1, 2012, as Section 394-47891 of the Florida Statutes.

person can only be accepted or placed into the HCVTC as follows:

• The person must be a Eligible Veteran Defendant (EVD);
• The person has the burden of proof to establish their EVD status;
• EVD status may be established by a DD-214 Form;
• Both misdemeanor and felony VOP cases are eligible for placement into the VTC provided the sentencing judge on the pending VOP case authorizes the transfer of the VOP case into the MCVTC;
• Both misdemeanor and felony cases are eligible for admission into the HCVTC by a motion pursuant to Fla.R.Crim.P. 3.800( c ) [“Reduction and Modification of Sentences”] upon agreement of the sentencing judge, the State Attorney’s Office (SAO) and the EVD;
• The EVD must be represented by an attorney; and
• The EVD must be accepted or placed into the HCVTC according to one of the methods specified in HCVTC “Policy and Procedures Manual”.

ALL MISDEMEANOR DEFENDANTS are eligible for the HCVTC, however, cases involving a Driving Under the Influence [DUI] charge will only be allowed into the HCVTC through sentencing.

MISDEMEANOR DEFENDANTS must enter the HCVTC through the following method:

1. Placed by a Transfer Order as such is authorized by Section 910.035(5) of the Florida Statutes upon approval of the HCVTC Judge.

FELONY DEFENDANTS may be eligible for the HCVTC with the following exclusions:

1. the felony charge cannot be on the list set forth in Section 948.06(8)(c) of the Florida Statutes; and
2. no felony Driving Under the Influence [DUI] charge is eligible for VTC.

FELONY DEFENDANTS must enter the HCVTC through the following method:

1. Placed by a Transfer Order as such is authorized by Section 910.035(5) upon approval of the HCVTC Judge.