Blue Earth (Fifth District)
Blue Earth Family Dependency Treatment Court
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Kevin Mettler, Coordinator
Blue Earth County Drug/DWI Hybrid Court
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Kevin Mettler, Coordinator
401 Carver Road
Mankato, MN 56002
Phone: (507) 469-5518
Fax: (507) 304-4710
Fifth Judicial District Veterans Court
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Kevin Mettler, Coordinator
401 Carver Road
Mankato, MN 56002
Phone: (507) 469-5518
The Mission of the Fifth Judicial District Veteran's Court is to promote public safety and assist and support veterans and their families through a coordinated effort among the veteran services delivery system, community-based services, and the court - thereby leaving no veteran behind.
The Minnesota Judicial Council recently approved creation of a Veterans Court Program that will serve the counties of Blue Earth, Brown, Faribault, Jackson, Martin, Nicollet and Watonwan in the Fifth Judicial District. A partnership of veteran’s affairs and criminal justice agencies are responsible for the formulation of the multi-county program.
The program is being designed to handle cases involving defendants with veteran status through a judicially-monitored program of alcohol, drug and/or mental health treatment, rehabilitation services and strict community supervision. The Veterans Court Program recognizes that military veterans face unique challenges following their service and, in turn, need particularized treatment and support that is best provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs and other veteran specific organizations. A Veterans Court will promote public safety while supporting veterans and their families through a coordinated effort among the veteran services delivery system, community-based services and the court with the stated goal of leaving no veteran behind.
The Veterans Court will be held at noon on the second and fourth Fridays of each month at the Blue Earth County Justice Center in Mankato. A pre-court staffing session will take place at 11 a.m. in the County Attorney’s Office on second floor of the Justice Center. The Honorable Bradley C. Walker, retired Marine Corps Colonel and Fifth Judicial District Chief Judge, will serve as the Veterans Court Judge.
The Blue Earth County Attorney’s Office created a Veterans Program in February 2012 with the help of many partners in the criminal justice system. The new multi-county Veterans Court will model the success of the Blue Earth County Program.
“We have seen firsthand the value in the Blue Earth County Veterans Program and are excited to work with a number of agencies to be able to help additional veterans throughout the seven counties in the Fifth Judicial District,“ said Patrick McDermott, Assistant Blue Earth County Attorney.
A $200,000 grant has been secured to establish the Fifth Judicial District Veterans Court, including hiring a case manager with experience working with veterans and to establish a veteran mentor program.
Brochures/Forms/Publications:
Veterans Court Referral Package:
St. Louis Duluth (Sixth District)
St. Louis Duluth County Drug Court
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Stephanie Carlson, Coordinator
100 North 5th Avenue West, Suite 320
Duluth, MN 55802
Phone: (218) 720-1535
South St. Louis County DWI Court
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Rachael Barta, Coordinator
100 North 5th Avenue West, Suite 320
Duluth, MN 55802
Phone: (218) 720-1547
St. Louis Duluth County Veterans' Treatment Court
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Stephanie Carlson, Coordinator
100 North 5th Avenue West, Suite 320
Duluth, MN 55802
Phone: (218) 720-1535
South St. Louis County Mental Health Court
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Elizabeth Henderson, Coordinator
100 North 5th Avenue West, Suite 320
Duluth, MN 55802
Phone: (218) 726-2464