Notice: Most fees will increase by 5-10% on December 28th.

menu

Veterans Treatment Court

Justice Courts Maricopa County - Home Veterans Treatment Court

Our Mission

First to all veterans and their families: Thank you for your service!

The Veterans Treatment Court - also known as VTC - began in the Maricopa County Justice Courts in February 2021 as a special program for those who have previously served or are currently serving our country.

The program became so successful that in 2023 it expanded to a system of four regional courts able to more efficiently serve veterans throughout the county.

When these veterans have legal issues to overcome, the VTC and all its volunteers and staff work together to assemble the proper resources for that veteran. They will develop a specialized action plan to help that individual overcome the challenges they personally face, while still holding them accountable for the decisions that brought them to court.

Treating them with the dignity and respect they have earned for their service helps to break the cycle that led the veteran to where he or she is today. It is a collaborative effort of family, other veterans, volunteers, community partners, and the court. Each of these groups has a personal commitment to the success of the veteran.

Regional Courts Handling VTC Cases

With 26 justice courts in Maricopa County, each one can refer a case to the appropriate region. The four courts and judges work together to provide the same services to all veterans. 

Judge Donald Watts from the Manistee Justice Court presides over VTC cases referred from the following courts: 

  • Agua Fria
  • Arrowhead
  • Country Meadows
  • Hassayampa
  • Manistee
  • Maryvale
  • North Valley
  • White Tank

Manistee Justice Court is located at: 

The Northwest Regional Court Center

14264 W. Tierra Buena Lane 

Surprise, AZ  85374

(602) 372-2000, option 3

VeteransCourt-NW@jbazmc.maricopa.gov (Note: the judge does not review these emails. Please allow up to 3 days for staff to reply.)

Judge Michele Reagan from the McDowell Mountain Justice Court presides over VTC cases referred from the following courts: 

  • Desert Ridge
  • Dreamy Draw
  • McDowell Mountain
  • Moon Valley
  • University Lakes

McDowell Mountain Justice Court is located at: 

The Northeast Regional Court Center

18040 N. 40th Street

Phoenix, AZ 85032

(602) 372-7000, option 2

VeteransCourt-NE@jbazmc.maricopa.gov (Note: the judge does not review these emails. Please allow up to 3 days for staff to reply.)

Judge Ken Cheuvront from the Encanto Justice Court presides over VTC cases referred from the following courts: 

  • Arcadia Biltmore
  • El Centro (formerly Downtown)
  • Encanto
  • Kyrene
  • Ironwood
  • South Mountain
  • West McDowell

Encanto Justice Court is located at: 

The Downtown Justice Center

620 W. Jackson Street

Phoenix, AZ 85003

(602) 372-6300, option 1 or 2, then 2

VeteransCourt-DT@jbazmc.maricopa.gov (Note: the judge does not review these emails. Please allow up to 3 days for staff to reply.)

Judge Jordan Ray from the Highland Justice Court presides over VTC cases referred from the following courts: 

  • Highland
  • East Mesa
  • North Mesa
  • San Marcos
  • San Tan
  • West Mesa

Highland Justice Court is located at: 

The Southeast Justice Center

222 E. Javelina Avenue

Mesa, AZ 85210

(602) 372-8300

VeteransCourt-SE@jbazmc.maricopa.gov (Note: the judge does not review these emails. Please allow up to 3 days for staff to reply.)

Court Appearance

All parities can appear in person or by video for VTC. If you have an attorney please have him or her appear with you. 

To appear in person, ensure you arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled time to allow time to clear security and check in at the court window.

To appear by video, click the appropriate courtroom link below 15 minutes before your scheduled time. You will be placed into a waiting room and then the Judge will allow you into the meeting when it is time for your case.

Regional Court: Seen At: Video Link
Northwest (Surprise) Manistee Justice Court https://tinyurl.com/jbazmc-manistee
Northeast (North Phoenix) McDowell Mountain Justice Court https://tinyurl.com/jbazmc-mcdowellmtn
Central (Downtown Phoenix) Encanto Justice Court https://tinyurl.com/jbazmc-encanto
Southeast (Mesa) Highland Justice Court https://tinyurl.com/HighlandJC

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Most of your questions will be answered here.

Anyone with proof of service in the United States military with criminal misdemeanor charges may qualify for Veterans Treatment Court.

Proof of service will be confirmed with the Veterans Administration. Any false or misleading statements to the court or on the ROI or Form 1010 will result in being removed from VTC and possible criminal charges.

This is a form from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs which confirms your military status and identifies any benefits you may have.

NOTE:  The court does not receive a copy of your medical records. Completing this form will not change your rating. This form is required no matter what your current status is.  

This is a Release Of Information form. When you sign this, it allows the the organizations or persons listed to talk with us about your treatment plan to better serve you. 

You may ask the court currently handling your case for a transfer. That judge must then request the case be moved to the VTC. The request must be approved by the Presiding Justice of the Peace.

The court must receive these forms from you within ten working days from your initial appearance in VTC (or as ordered by the Judge) or you may be removed from the program and the case will return to the original court.

Misdemeanor criminal charges in any of the 26 Maricopa County Justice Courts may be handled in Veterans Treatment Court.

Examples of misdemeanors may be criminal speeding, DUI, assault, and trespassing.

VTC does not accept civil actions. Examples of cases that are not accepted: evictions, small claims and civil suits.    

A 100% commitment to follow the direction of the court. You will get out of the court what you put into the court.

It is your responsibility to make sure you appear. If you fail to appear you will most likely be removed from VTC.

Confirm with the court that they have all your current contact information.

The court will provide options for criminal charges.

The court or its volunteers or staff may also be able to help with resources for jobs, housing, bus passes, groceries, etc.

Hon. Donald Watts of the Manistee Justice Court began work years ago to establish a Veterans Treatment Court to handle cases from the Maricopa County Justice Courts. Hon. Michele Reagan now chairs our Specialty Courts Committee.

After receiving approvals from many levels of court leadership and law enforcement agencies the VTC was able to officially launch in 2021.

It could not have been achieved without dozens of people who graciously donated their time: court staff and other judges, prosecutors, active and retired military members, officials and clerks from the Veterans Administration, and more. 

In 2023 Judge Watts received non-profit status for VetSix. This organization is the driving force that helps fund extra activities and celebrations for participants in VTC. VetSix volunteers also arrange mentors and find other assistance to walk defendants through the process so their case- and the life- can have a positive outcome.

Forms

These forms need to be completed and sent to the court before your first hearing:

VA health cards can not be accepted in place of the 1010.  

Each form can be downloaded from the link above then filled out and printed. Submit to the appropriate court by fax, email, or in person at the court at the counter or outside the building in the grey drop box that says Justice Court Filings Only. This box is available 24 hours a day. Please put any papers in an enveloped marked Veterans Treatment Court. 

Do not take a photo of the document and send it as an attachment. Too often, printed words in photos are not fully legible and the court must be able to fully read the form. 

Incorrect forms will not be processed.  

The judge may grant a 14-day extension to complete the forms. Failure to complete the forms will result in your case being transferred out of VTC.

Events with Court Participation

All 26 justice courts participate in events to help veterans resolve their court issues. These include: 

Maricopa County StandDown

This event is held every year at the Arizona State Fairgrounds. It is the biggest event of its kind in the country, offering veterans resources for many aspects of life: housing, health care, employment, clothing, legal assistance, and more. The goal is to "pave the way" for veterans facing crises to live fully-functioning lives.

This is a program of the Arizona Veterans StandDown Alliance, a division of the Arizona Housing Coalition. Visit https://www.azhousingcoalition.org/avsa to see details on all their upcoming events and learn how to register a veteran in need.

Glendale Stand Up For Veterans

This is a smaller, but just as important event targeted at veterans in the Northwest Valley. Hosted in the Fall at Arizona Christian University, the City of Glendale brings dozens of courts, counselors, and vendors together to deliver needed services and advice. Visit https://glendalestandup.org/ to get the date of the next occurrence.