Fargo Veterans Treatment Court holds ceremonial opening

The East Central Judicial District held a ceremonial opening for its Veterans Treatment Court at the Cass County Courthouse in Fargo on Oct. 9, adding a Fargo-based program to North Dakota’s specialty-court system. The North Dakota Court System identifies it as the state’s second Veterans Treatment Court, alongside the existing court in Grand Forks.

The ceremony was not identified as the program’s first day of operations. A Sept. 10 notice attributed to North Dakota Courts said the Fargo court was expected to begin Sept. 11; the Oct. 9 announcement described a ceremonial opening, not whether participant intake had begun.

The court system describes participation as voluntary. Eligibility includes current or former military service, a treatment need involving mental health or substance use, residence within the court’s jurisdiction or in a county approved by the judge, and agreement to program requirements. The VA Fargo Health Care System said Veterans Justice Outreach staff connect justice-involved veterans with VA and community services and support the court team.