NorthamptonCtyVetCourt_Stewart&Sletvold_Presentation_LVMAC_17Apr2024.pdf

Presentation by the Northampton County's Court of Common Pleas Judge Jennifer Sletvold and her assistant, Stephanie Spenser Stewart, Northampton County Problem Solving Court Coordinator, to the Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council meeting on 17 April 2024 on the subject of "Why the Northampton Veterans Court is Needed. What Good Will It Do?”

1. NORTHAMPTON
COUNTY VETERANS’
COURT
Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council
Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Honorable Jennifer R. Sletvold
Stephanie J. Steward, Esquire
Lori A. Miller, VJO Outreach Specialist
Jennifer Dodwell, Probation Officer

2. Veterans’ Court Mission Statement
ItisthemissionoftheNorthamptonCountyVeterans’Courttoprovide
veteranswhohavededicatedthemselvestoservingourcountryandare
intersectedwiththecriminaljusticesystem,theopportunitytoaddress
theircriminalconductandtheirtreatmentneedsinacourt-supervised,
community- basedsettingdesignedtopromotepublicsafety,health,and
welfare,strengthenourcommunity,andtoreducetheburdenonthe
county’sprisonsystem.Bytheprovidingtreatment,intensive
supervision,casemanagement,mentoringandaccesstocommunity
services,theNorthamptonCountyVeterans’Courtisdesignedtohelp
participantsaddresstheirneeds,developtheskillsnecessaryto
achievingandmaintainingwellnessandstability,andeliminateor
reducerecidivism.

3. Goals of the Veterans’ Court
•Connect veteran participants with eligible VA benefits, treatment, and
veteran-specific support services
•Divert the criminal conduct of veterans away from the prison system
•Ensure access to and foster engagement in treatment and services to
meet the needs of individual veterans
•Link participants with other veterans to foster support and community
•Assist veterans in reestablishing themselves as productive members of
their families and communities

4. Legal Structure of the Program
•Open to participants with new pending charges
and/or probation or parole violations
•The program is diversionary
•Prosecution is held in abeyance and cases will be
dismissed upon successful completion of the
Court.

5. Eligibility Requirements
•18 years of age or older
•Record of service in any branch of the United States Military
•Applying on a criminal docket pending in Northampton County, unless
applying for transfer of supervision from another county
•Seeking voluntary entry into the program
•Competent and willing to engage with treatment and supervision
•Criminal history is devoid of any disqualifying offense

6. DisqualifyingOffenses
•Murder
•Manslaughter
•Felony sex offenses
•Violent offenses committed with a
firearm
•Other offenses deemed by the
Court to present an unreasonable
risk to society

7. The Program Structure
•5-phase program designed to be completed within 18 to 24 months
•Individual program goals will be determined from needs- based
assessments
•Every participant will be assigned a Veteran Mentor
•Every participant will be served by a representative of the Veterans’
Administration Justice Outreach Program
•Every participant will have a Specialized Probation Officer
•Every participant will appear before the Court for regular
Reinforcement Hearings

8. PhaseRequirements, 1-3
•Phase 1: Weekly reporting to Probation Officer; bi-weekly reporting
to Court; engagement in treatment and services; engagement with
veteran mentor; compliance with supervision; minimum of 60 days in
phase
•Phase 2: Maintain adherence to prior requirements; attain not less than
14 consecutive days sobriety, as may be applicable; engage in recovery
network, as may be applicable; engage in pro- social activities,
minimum of 90 days in phase
•Phase 3: Maintain adherence to prior requirements; bi-weekly
reporting to Court and Probation Officer; 30 consecutive days of
sobriety, as may be applicable; minimum of 120 days in phase

9. Phase Requirements, 4-5
•Phase 4: Maintain adherence to prior requirements; attain not less than
45 consecutive days of sobriety, as may be applicable; obtain
employment, job training or other activity, engage in applicable
ancillary services (e.g. parenting classes, financial management,
minimum of 120 days in phase
•Phase 5: Maintain adherence to prior requirements; monthly reporting
to Court; attain not less than 60 consecutive days of sobriety, as may
be applicable; minimum of 120 days in phase

10. Graduation Requirements
•Maintain engagement in clinically recommended treatment and
services
•Maintain compliance with supervision
•Maintain engagement in prosocial activities
•Maintain engagement with recovery network, as applicable
•Maintain employment, education or job training as directed
•Continue engaging in ancillary services as directed
•Develop continuing care plan and submit to Court for review and
approval

11. Questions?
Please contact:
Stephanie J. Steward
[email protected]
610-829-6926*
(telephone number is voicemail only)