VETERANS COURT OF ORANGE COUNTY VETERANS COURT OF ORANGE COUNTY Community Court Superior Court of California 909 N. Main Street Santa Ana, CA 92701

Veterans Court began November 18, 2008 BACKGROUND In January 2002, the Orange County Superior Court initiated a study on the feasibility of developing a community court. The community court will focus on those who have committed quality of life crimes and, by building partnerships with local criminal justice, County and community agencies, more effectively respond to the needs of offenders. As the study progressed, a vision for a new kind of community court was developed - one that would seek not only to improve the offender’s quality of life, but also address more serious issues and more complicated social problems like substance abuse and mental illness.

MISSION STATEMENT The mission of the Orange County Veterans Court is to provide an inter- agency, collaborative, non-adversarial treatment strategy for Veterans in the criminal justice system who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), psychological or substance abuse problems as a result of having served in a combat theater

Veterans Court is a collaborative effort The Court Department of Veterans Affairs (V.A.) The Public Defender The District Attorney The Probation Department The Health Care Agency Many other community partners

The goals of the Veterans Court are to: Protect the public Reduce participant contact with the criminal justice system Reduce cost associated with criminal case processing and re-arrest Introduce participants to an ongoing process of recovery designed to help them become stable, employed and substance free while continuing mental health care through community/peer counseling groups or the V.A.

Admission Criteria Cases considered for admission to the Veterans Court will include both misdemeanor and felony cases, where the treatment team believes admission will protect the public and assist the Veteran.

Length of Treatment A participant shall not be eligible for graduation unless he or she has completed a minimum of 18 month participation in Veterans Court which includes 6 month in the mentoring program.

Program Phases at a Glance Orientation Phase: Minimum of 30 days Phase 1- Treatment Plan Development: Minimum of 90 days Phase 2- Ongoing Treatment: Minimum of 90 days Phase 3- Stabilizing/Mentoring: Minimum of 145 days Phase 4- Transition to Graduation: Minimum of 6 months

Participants in the program are required to comply with the following: Report to VA Coordinator & Probation Officer as directed If applicable, submit to substance abuse testing as directed Comply with treatment plan. Including medication(s). Attend court appearances & appointments as directed Participate in clean & sober recreation/fellowship Must be employed or pursuing vocational/educational goals Complete volunteer service hours Participate in the mentoring program

Participants in the program have the following demographics: Ages range from 23 to 64 Marital status- Divorced, Married, Separated & single with underage & adult children Combat Era- Operation Iraqi Freedom, Persian Gulf War, & the Vietnam War Military branches- Army, Marines, & Navy Types of charges- Arson, Assault, D.U.I. Possession of Narcotics, Receiving Stolen Property, Reckless Driving & Trespass Diagnosis- Bipolar, Depression, PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI ) & Schizophrenia Treatment includes, but is not limited to- Psychiatric/Mental Health, Substance Abuse Services include- Employment assistance, educational, housing, Social Services, Social Security benefits, and V.A. benefits

Veterans Court Team District Attorney, Wendy Brough – (714) , Probation Officer, Cyr Oca – (714) , Public Defender, Isabel Apkarian - (714) , V.A. Justice Outreach Coordinator, Andrea Serafin - (562) , V.A. Justice Outreach Coordinator, Andrea Serafin - (562) , Collaborative Courts Coordinator, Laura Morfin - (714) ,