Specialty Courts

​​​​​Veterans Treatment Court

Veterans Treatment Court is a non-adversarial, post-sentencing, and problem-solving program that works toward helping justice involved veterans with substance abuse or mental health conditions.  The program is centered on intensely monitored probation and treatment compliance.  Eligible non-violent veteran defendants are diverted from a traditional criminal justice track to a treatment based approach.  Veterans Treatment Court helps participants access additional resources that might not be available in traditional criminal courts.  Furthermore, it creates a supportive community amongst the veteran participants. 

Program requirements change as a participant moves through specially designed program phases.  Sanctions will be imposed if participants do not follow probation or treatment requirements.  Rewards may be given for successful progression through the program.

The Veterans Treatment Court program is 18-24 months long.  Each participant's length of involvement with the program is dependent on their ability to comply with court orders and treatment plans, remain drug and alcohol free, and achieve personal goals.

Veterans Treatment Court is held every other Wednesday from 9:30am - ​12pm on the fifth floor of the Justice Center in courtroom three.  At review hearings, the presiding judge will interact one-on-one with each participant in a non-adversarial manner.  Local veterans and citizens are welcome to attend.

 General Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Military Veteran and not be dishonorably discharged
• Must not be a violent offender and must not be a danger to the community
• Must suffer from a mental disorder or substance abuse issue
• Must present as a good match to the Veterans Treatment Court method
• Must submit to program requirements for 18-24 month

Program Documents

• Referral Form
  
• Mission Page
  
• Program Brochure
  
• Participant Agreement​
  
• Participant Handbook​
   
  

Mental Health Court

Mental Health Court is a problem-solving court that focuses on therapeutic treatment for offenders with mental illnesses whose crimes are a result of their mental illness.  Eligible defendants are diverted into judicially supervised, community-based treatment to address the underlying problems.  The program uses a team approach to address the participant’s needs for mental health and/or substance abuse treatment while also linking the participant with ancillary services such as education, housing, job skills or other individualized assistance.  The goal is to assist participants in bettering their lives while also benefiting the community by reducing jail time, recidivism rates, and court docket congestion.

Program Documents

• Referral Process
  
• Referral Form​
  
• Mission Page
  
• Program Brochure
  
• Participant Agreement​
  
• Participant Handbook​
  
• Action Plan​
  
  

Sobriety C​ourt 

The 15th District Sobriety Court, which began in September 2004, is a problem-solving court that helps break the cycle of drug and/or alcohol addiction that has resulted in adult criminal activity.  It is now clear that So​briety and Drug Courts work.  In addition to providing much needed effective treatment to participants, they provide safer streets, lower crime rates and cost savings to our jails.

The target population of the 15th District Sobriety Court is repeat offender drinking drivers within the city limits of Ann Arbor.  However, as program capacity permits, the program has expanded its target population to include other jurisdictions within Washtenaw County and other offenses that are the result of a person’s drug and/or alcohol addiction. 

This 24 month program is based on intensive probation and community monitoring of the participant; enrollment in drug and/or alcohol treatment closer to the time of the offense; random and frequent drug and alcohol testing; random home visits by probation and/or police; attendance of 12-step program meetings; and other individualized services a participant may need.

The 15th District Sobriety Court uses a team approach to help participants achieve a life free from substances and criminal activity.  The team is comprised of the judge, probation officer, judicial coordinator, bailiff, program coordinator, prosecutor, defense attorney, substance abuse treatment provider, mental health treatment provider, and a police officer liaison.  Sobriety Court is held weekly on Fridays.   The team meets the day before discusses all participants that are scheduled for that week.

Program information contact: