Public Safety Employees' Treatment Court
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SESSION INFO

Tuesday, August 30, 2022
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Session Type: Workshop
For many of our nation's first responders, on the job traumatic experiences has led to substance use and mental health issues that, left untreated, can lead to involvement in the criminal justice system. Tarrant County has established the first Public Safety Employees Treatment Court in the nation to offer a treatment option that is judicially supervised. The program is designed to divert eligible public safety employees out of the traditional criminal justice process and into appropriate rehabilitative alternatives that will lead to recovery and sobriety, ultimately saving their lives and career. The Public Safety Employees Treatment Court uses evidence-based practices and follow the drug court model which is highly recognized by the National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP) for more than 30 years. During this session, attendees will learn how the Tarrant County Public Safety Employees Treatment Court assess the needs of public safety employees, what assistance is offered and what treatment options are utilized to help resolve their criminal case(s).

SESSION PRESENTERS
Brandon Barnett
Defense Attorney, Smart Start Inc.


Mr. Barnett is a founding partner in the Fort Worth, Texas law firm of Barnett Howard & Williams PLLC. He is also a Lieutenant Colonel in the Marine Corps Reserve and serves as an adjunct professor of Military Justice at Texas A&M School of Law. Prior to starting his law firm, Mr. Barnett served for six years as an active-duty U.S. Marine judge advocate. While on active-duty, he held duties as a criminal trial lawyer in courts-martial cases, a law of war consultant to combat forces in Iraq, and staff counsel at Headquarters Marine Corps at the Pentagon. Mr. Barnett moved back to Texas and transitioned to the Marine Corps Reserve in 2012. Mr. Barnett now works as a criminal defense attorney in and around Fort Worth, Texas. He handles felony, misdemeanor, and juvenile cases. Mr. Barnett also serves as the staff defense counsel for the Tarrant County Veterans Treatment Court. Mr. Barnett lives in Southlake, Texas with his wife and four children.

Judge Charles Vanover
Judge, Smart Start Inc.


Judge Vanover has dedicated his life to protecting Tarrant County families. His career in law enforcement started as a Police Officer and trained SWAT team member. During his eleven years as a Police Officer, he obtained Basic, Intermediate, Advanced and Master Peace Officer Certifications from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education. Chuck was also a certified Fire Fighter, and Emergency Medical Technician. Then, after graduating from law school, he joined the Tarrant County District Attorney’s office as a “tough-on-crime” prosecutor. As a prosecutor, Chuck had several thousand cases under his belt, ranging from misdemeanor cases such as Assault and DWI to some of the toughest felony cases imaginable. Chuck’s work has put some of the worst criminals – those involved in crimes against children and the elderly – in jail for the rest of their lives. Since taking the bench in 2015, Judge Vanover has worked to reduce the trial docket and case backlog. His hard work and dedication to the law has helped both victims and defendants get their day in court in a timely manner. He was recently cited by the Tarrant County Bar Association Judicial Poll with having a 100% vote for the question: “Do you have confidence in this Judge’s integrity?” Judge Vanover has also been a speaker and panel member for the Texas Aggie Bar Association and for the Texas A&M University School of Law. In addition to his work as a Jurist, Chuck also proudly serves our state and nation as the Staff Judge Advocate for the Texas State Guard. He has been deployed on several occasions to render aid in the aftermath of natural disasters. Additionally, has also worked to assist soldiers in handling their pre-deployment legal matters prior to deploying overseas in the war on terror. Recently, Chuck led a team of other Judge Advocates as they re-wrote and updated the Texas Manual for Courts Martial and the Texas Military Rules of Evidence. He is also a Life Member of the National Guard Association of Texas. Chuck is a life-long Republican, having served the Party in numerous capacities. He is currently the President of the Fort Worth Republican Forum.

Courtney Young
Program Manager, Smart Start Inc.


Courtney Young is the Program Manager of the Tarrant County Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) and Public Safety Employees Treatment Court (PSETC). He has been employed by the Tarrant County Criminal Courts since February 2010 and has been a team member of the VTC and PSETC since their establishment. Courtney is a Licensed Master Social Worker. He obtained his bachelor's Degree in Social Work from Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA). He was awarded a master's Degree in Social Work from the Texas A&M University- Commerce (TAMUC). Courtney has an extensive history working with individuals who suffer from mental health and substance use disorders. After graduation from SFA, he moved to the DFW area where he was employed at Dallas Metrocare Services as a Social Worker. With his MSW, he pursued administrative positions at the Child and Family Guidance Center in Dallas Texas, serving as the Program Manager for programs that provided services to individuals and families who suffered from mental health and substance use disorders. Courtney joined the Dallas County Department of Criminal Justice as the Competency Program Manager in 2007. As the Competency Program Coordinator, he was tasked with assisting incarcerated individuals who suffered from mental health disorders. Courtney brings to Tarrant County his experience working with the mental health population from both inside and outside the criminal justice system. Courtney Young received the Joel Bennett Recovery Award in April 2017 from the Texas Association of Specialty Courts for his work and commitment to helping justice involved veterans.