County Establishes Diversion Program For Vets Accused Of Crimes

Veterans and active service members suffering from a mental health condition will receive needed treatment instead of facing prosecution for certain criminal charges under a new program recently introduced in Burlington County.

Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina has issued a directive to local police chiefs establishing the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office Veterans Diversion Program (”VDP”), which requires local law enforcement agencies to ask individuals they detain about their military status and to consider whether they may be eligible for the diversion program before a criminal complaint is filed.

Burlington County has one of the largest populations of veterans and active service members in the state due to the presence of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, Coffina said in introducing the program on Friday.

“We owe our veterans and active armed forces members a tremendous debt of gratitude,” Coffina said. “Many of them have endured multiple deployments and experienced the horrors of combat over the past 15 years, or continue to deal with the trauma from battles decades ago while protecting us and defending our freedom. We recognize that many of them are afflicted with post-traumatic stress disorder or other mental health conditions as a result of their experiences. Their sacrifices on our behalf have earned them the opportunity to seek treatment rather than face a criminal conviction when they commit relatively minor, nonviolent offenses.”

“On behalf of the Freeholder Board, we are so grateful of County Prosecutor Coffina’s efforts to bring this innovative program to Burlington County,” Freeholder Deputy Director Kate Gibbs said. “The military, veterans, and their families are such an important part of our community. We owe so much to those who have served this great country with honor.”

Those who are admitted to the program — which was established under a law signed by Gov. Chris Christie earlier this year — and successfully fulfill the requirements will have their criminal charges dismissed and the record of that offense expunged.

The law provides the county prosecutor the sole discretion to determine if an eligible veteran or service member qualifies for, and is admitted into, the diversion program. Among the factors a county prosecutor must consider are g the person’s criminal history, the nature and circumstances surrounding the offense, and the likelihood that diversion into treatment will be successful. Diversion will not be approved if the victim objects.

“This program affords a compassionate way for the veteran or service member to address underlying mental health issues that may have contributed to their aberrant conduct," Prosecutor Coffina said. “However, individuals admitted to the program will still be held accountable for their conduct. Under the oversight of the Prosecutor’s Office, they will be required to make any restitution to the victim, actively adhere to whatever treatment plan is recommended by a clinician, and comply with other conditions for a minimum of six months and up to two years before the charges against them are dismissed.”

The law doesn’t include funding to support the program. However, the Burlington County Division of Military and Veterans Services is a resource available to veterans to determine their eligibility and to apply for benefits and facilitate their referral for treatment.

“I’m really proud to see our Prosecutor’s Office embrace this program,” Burlington County Department of Military and Veterans Services Director Walt Tafe said. “Recognizing the difficulties our veterans have when returning home with the burden of terrible memories that trigger PTSD is critical to their future success. We are honored to be part of their team.”

It is unclear at the outset how many veterans and active service members will participate in the program. Drug court and pretrial intervention remain as other potential options for individuals facing criminal charges.

For more information, visit www.burlpros.org and click on “Veterans Diversion Program” in the blue strip to the left of the screen. To reach the Burlington County Department of Military and Veteran's Services, visit http://www.co.burlington.nj.us/547/Veterans-Services.

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