Hamilton County is home to between 25,000 and 27,000 veterans, so a growing treatment court fills a need for those who served our country and now find themselves in the criminal justice system, Judge Boyd Patterson said.
Two men made appearances on felony charges Thursday afternoon in Veterans Treatment Court, and there are two additional people in General Sessions Judge Gary Starnes’ misdemeanor program who weren’t present that day.
One man said he practiced breathing exercises on the Fourth of July, so he could combat negative reactions to the fireworks. Patterson told the other veteran he was happy to see his journal entries had increased to at least four sentences.
There are about eight or nine veterans in the pipeline, Patterson said, as the program just kicked off this year.
For reference, there were 90 participants in 2023 Drug Recovery Court. Case Manager Lauren Messer said veterans court will ideally reach about 25 active participants.
The veterans treatment court works the same as other Hamilton County accountability courts, Patterson said. It’s a recovery-based alternative to jail or prison for veterans who have pleaded guilty to nonviolent crimes.
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Veterans are approved on a case-by-case basis, but they must not have violent or child-related criminal charges, must not be on the sex offense registry and cannot be a gang member to be eligible, according to the program website.
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A person must either be a veteran or active duty and must have been honorably discharged, the website said. The program takes applicants who served in the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force or Coast Guard.
Messer is the only paid employee of the veterans court at $55,000 annually. That means dozens of individuals have donated time and money, from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to the Tennessee Department of Corrections to locals including Ronnie Barnes, Mike Walden and Steve Holmes, Patterson said.
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“It crosses political lines,” Starnes said of those who want to help. “You have Democrats, Republicans, everyone.”
For the veterans motivated to make change, the program is a real benefit, Veterans Affairs social worker Brad Ellis said.
Each veteran gets matched with a veteran mentor, so he or she can speak with someone who had similar experiences. One veteran received financial assistance for transportation to and from court, and others can expect gift cards as they move up in the 12- or 18-month program, depending on the criminal offense. Each veteran is expected to receive upon graduation a challenge coin, symbolic of achievement.
Starnes said some are homeless. He said some have post-traumatic stress disorder, mental health issues or addiction.
Members of the public can assist by donating for challenge coins and gift cards. Veterans can apply to donate time as a mentor. Any medical provider who wants to work with veterans can donate services. Anyone interested can contact Messer at 423-994-5967 or LaurenM@hamiltontn.gov, she said.
Contact courts reporter Sofia Saric at ssaric@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6476.