Augusta Judicial Circuit Adult Felony Veteran’s Treatment Program

The Augusta Judicial Circuit Adult Felony Veterans’ treatment Court (AJCVTC) program serves as a meaningful alternative to incarceration for the participant who can function in the community with support.  It is the goal of the AJCVTC program to improve the quality of life and reduce recidivism for the participants in this program.  Those who gradate will have a solid foundation upon which to build in order to become a productive member of our community. The AJCVTC team concept involves a collaborative effort between the judge(s), district attorneys, defense attorneys, veterans’ treatment court coordinator, veterans’ treatment court case manager, veterans’ treatment court administrative staff, law enforcement, treatment providers, and probation service representatives. All team members work together to support each participant in addressing and combating the issues that brought them into the criminal justice system.  The AJCVTC team meets every week to review the progress of every participant and holds court sessions. The program is a court-imposed condition of probation for defendants before the court who have service connected benefits with co-occurring veterans’ treatment related issues and/or alcohol/substance abuse issues.

AJCVTC TEAM ROLES

JUDGE: Honorable Jesse C. Stone [Superior Court Judge]

The Honorable Jesse C. Stone [Superior Court Judge] is the judge that presides over the Augusta Judicial Circuit Veterans’ treatment Court program. The judge is aware of the significant impact of substance abuse on the court system, the lives of participants and their families, victims of criminal behavior, and the entire community. The judge is committed to the overall function of the AJCVTC program concept and goals and presides as the AJCVTC team leader to encourage participant success. The judge monitors and addresses participant progress and accountability in accordance with program requirements.  The judge has many other daily responsibilities, which require judicial attention, therefore direct contact with the judge or his/her office staff is not permitted.

AJCMHC COORDINATOR: Karonica Hurndon

Karonica Hurndon is the AJCVTC coordinator. The program coordinator is the administrator of the Augusta Judicial Circuit Adult Felony Veteran’s Treatment Court Program. The AJCVTC coordinator facilitates the communication and contact between all members of the AJCVTC team. The coordinator will meet with a participant when necessary involving any aspect of their AJCVTC participation.

ADMINISTRATIVE CASE MANAGERS

Administrative case managers provide individual, rehabilitative and case management services to the participant. The administrative case manager provides written summaries on participant’s progress and updates of any issues that may affect the participants’ progress in the AJCVTC program to the program coordinator.

CLINICAL CASE MANAGERS

The clinical case manager provides individual and a broad range of rehabilitative and clinical case management services to the participant. The clinical case manager provides written summaries on participant’s progress to the AJCVTC program coordinator every week with updates on any issues that may affect the participants’ progress in the AJCVTC program.

VETERANS’ TREATMENT PROGRAM CORE

  1. New criminal charge(S) may be subject to sanctions and/or termination from the Veterans’ treatment Court program.
  2. VTC participants are required to live in Richmond or Burke County throughout involvement in the Veterans’ treatment Court program.
  3. VTC participants are required to obtain permission from the Court prior to leaving the Augusta Judicial Circuit or the State of Georgia for any reason.
  4. VTC participants are not permitted, under any circumstances to be in possession of a firearm or any other weapon.

TREATMENT PLANS

Treatment plans will be based on an initial assessment of the individuals problems and needs. The plan will act as a guide for the participants first 45 days of treatment, during which time a more permanent treatment plan will be developed. This plan will help the participant set goals, select methods for meeting those goals, and develop target dates for achieving those goals. The plan will be kept in the participants treatment file for regular review and necessary updates as progress is made through the program.