STATE OF KANSAS

Tenth Judicial District

Steve Howe, District Attorney
Johnson County District Attorney Steve Howe announces that on January 13th, 2016, the 10th
Judicial District Court of Johnson County, Kansas will be holding the first Veterans Treatment
Court in the State of Kansas.
Over the years, the 10th Judicial District Court of Johnson County, Kansas has encountered
veterans charged with misdemeanors and felonies who face challenges in their lives from
struggles with substance abuse and mental health issues related to their military service in our
Armed Forces. In such cases, results such as incarceration, monetary fines and probation
supervision alone may not reach the root cause of criminal conduct.
For the first time in the State of Kansas, the 10th Judicial District Court of Johnson County has
created a treatment court program designed specifically for veterans of our Armed Forces, who
suffer from mental health and substance abuse issues related to their military service. The
purpose of the Johnson County Veterans Treatment Court Program (VTC) is to provide a
treatment based alternative for veterans from incarceration into supervised treatment and
supportive services; in turn amplifying public safety and reducing the reentry of offenders to the
criminal justice system.
The first class of Veterans entering into the Johnson County Veterans Treatment Court will
occur on January 13th, 2016 at 2:30PM in Division 14 of the Johnson County, Kansas District
Court. Distinguished guests including Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Lawton Nuss,
Johnson County District Court Judges Timothy P. McCarthy and Thomas Kelly Ryan, Johnson
County District Attorney Steve Howe, and the Director of the Kansas City Veterans
Administration Dr. Edith Messina will be addressing the first class of Veterans.
For further information about the Johnson County Veterans Treatment Court, visit the Johnson
County District Attorneys website at http://da.jocogov.org/veterans-treatment-court-diversionprogram.

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