Texas Government Code 124.003 – Duties of Veterans Treatment Court Program
(a) A veterans treatment court program established under this chapter must:
(1) if there has not yet been a disposition in the criminal case, ensure that a defendant eligible for participation in the program is provided legal counsel before volunteering to proceed through the program and while participating in the program;
(2) allow a participant arrested for or charged with an offense to withdraw from the program at any time before a trial on the merits has been initiated;
(3) provide a participant with a court-ordered individualized treatment plan indicating the services that will be provided to the participant; and
(4) ensure that the jurisdiction of the veterans treatment court continues for a period of not less than six months but does not continue beyond the period of community supervision for the offense charged.
(b) A veterans treatment court program established under this chapter shall make, establish, and publish local procedures to ensure maximum participation of eligible defendants in the program.
Terms Used In Texas Government Code 124.003
- Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
- Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
- Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
(b-1) A veterans treatment court program may allow a participant to comply with the participant’s court-ordered individualized treatment plan or to fulfill certain other court obligations through the use of videoconferencing software or other Internet-based communications.
(c) This chapter does not prevent the initiation of procedures under Chapter 46B, Code of Criminal Procedure.