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Teaming up with the federal Veteran’s Administration, in conjunction with mental health and rehabilitation providers, the Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced Thursday evening the launch of a Veterans Diversion Program [VDP].

Under the new program, active and former service members suffering from a mental condition related to their military service and charged with certain offenses will be eligible for diversion to mental health and rehabilitative treatment rather than face traditional criminal prosecution, officials said in a written statement.

The program will be administered by the Prosecutor’s Office and involves intensive treatment supervision and monitoring by the Veterans Administration (VA), the Prosecutor’s Office, and a volunteer mentor assigned to support the charged veteran. 

Veterans approved into the program are expected to attend regular counseling and, where applicable, receive mental health or substance abuse treatment.

“A veteran who successfully completes the terms and conditions of this program to the satisfaction of the prosecutor, has not been the subject of any subsequent criminal charges and continues to make progress with mental health and/or substance abuse treatment, shall have his/her charges dismissed and the underlying charge expunged,” a according to the news statement.

“We have a moral obligation to our veterans and service members,” Gramiccioni said. “They return home after long tours of duty in war zones with unseen wounds and issues related to their combat experiences. They can turn to drugs and crime in their efforts to cope. They need our compassion – something they have surely earned – to make a difference in their lives instead of convictions and jail sentences.”

The Prosecutor’s Office will retain sole discretion over who is admitted into the VDP.  

“Ordinarily, only veterans charged with nonviolent third or fourth degree crimes will be eligible for participation,” the statement read. “However, service members charged with other offenses may also be approved for admission into the program, if the prosecutor determines that there are sufficient compelling circumstances surrounding the criminal incident to warrant diversion.”

The countywide VDP is based in large-part on other programs for veterans established in Buffalo, New York, as well as legislation set to take effect across New Jersey in December.

Gramiccioni, this week, instructed all Monmouth County law enforcement officers to question arrestees as to their current or former service member status, and make an appropriate notation on the criminal complaint.

“The program we have developed here in Monmouth gives prosecutors greater flexibility to admit worthy servicemen and servicewomen for diversion, providing them access to appropriate mental health treatment and rehabilitative services rather than incarceration,” Gramiccioni said.

Attorneys who believe their clients may fit the diversion program guidelines, can contact Deputy First Assistant Prosecutor Michael J. Wojciechowski at 732-431-7160 ext. 7184  or via email at mwojciechowski@mcponj.org.

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