J. Sauter Veterans Treatment Court

  1. Veteran Resources
  2. Mentor Information
  3. Waiver and Agreement
  4. 10 Key Components of Vet Court
  5. Veteran Treatment Court Statue

Department of Veterans Affairs: https://www.va.gov/

Veterans Crisis Hotline: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/

Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency: https://www.michigan.gov/mvaa/

Michigan 211: https://mi211.org/

Operation We Are Here: https://www.operationwearehere.com/michigan.html

The Guidance Center: https://www.guidance-center.org/veteran-resources/

J. Sauter Veterans Treatment Court

Presiding Judge: Honorable Janice K. Cunningham

Judge Cunningham photo


Veterans Treatment Courts use a hybrid combination of drug court and mental health court principles to serve military veterans. They promote sobriety, recovery, and stability through a coordinated response that involves collaboration with the traditional partners found in drug courts and mental health courts, as well as the Department of Veteran Affairs (“VA”) healthcare network, community based treatment providers, volunteer veteran mentors, and organizations that support veterans and veteran’s families.

The mission of the J. Sauter Veterans Treatment Court is to enhance public safety by rehabilitating justice-involved Veterans. This is accomplished through a partnership with the Court, the Department of Veteran Affairs, community based-treatment providers, and the community itself.

In the fall of 2013, the late Honorable Jeffrey L. Sauter founded the Eaton County Veterans Treatment Court as means to effectively treat and manage an increasing misdemeanor and felony Veteran offender population. Traditionally, Veterans' cases took approximately 4-6 months for the adjudication process to conclude and for treatment to be initiated. This practice was lengthy, costly, and presented risk to the public. Veteran offenders formerly entering into the court system for an initial or repeated offense were found to have medical/psychological issues, which compounded in most cases with drug/alcohol use disorders that were largely left untreated. Previously, in the absence of the J. Sauter Veterans Treatment Court program, these offenders were incarcerated in jail and later released with minimal assistance, direction and/or support in resolving their medical/psychological need(s).

With the assistance of grant funding provided from the State Courts Administrators Office we are able to provide services for our honored veterans.


Honorable Jeffrey L. Sauter

                                                  Jeff Sauter Photo

(1953-2016)