East Twin Cities

The Veterans Restorative Justice Act, which will help move veterans to probation and social service programs instead of jail for less severe crimes, was approved by the Minnesota Senate. 

“So many veterans experienced trauma during their service – trauma that stayed with them for a long time and leads to a litany of other battles,” Sen. Roger Chamberlain (R-Lino Lakes) said in a press release from the Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus. “It is our duty to help these veterans receive treatment instead of incarceration when they commit crimes because of struggles they are facing due to their service. It’s the right thing to do.”

Some counties in Minnesota have veteran treatment courts like this already in place. The idea is to give veterans probation or social service instead of prison if they committed a less severe crime. 

The act won't be mandatory, but it will give guidelines to follow when veterans are in court.

"The bill recommends veterans be eligible for the diversionary program if their offense is below a severity level 7 on the state’s sentencing grid and that they swear that the offense was committed due to one of several factors: Service-connected sexual trauma, a traumatic brain injury, PTSD, a substance abuse disorder, or mental health condition," according to the Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus press release. "The court will investigate all claims. Veterans would be required to plead guilty and accept conditions of the court, including remaining sober and completing a treatment program."