S.F. No. 33 Summary

• Creates a restorative justice sentencing option for military veterans charged with Severity Level 7, D7, or lower offenses (including misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors) whose crimes stem from service-related conditions including sexual trauma, traumatic brain injury, PTSD, substance abuse, or mental health conditions.

• Courts must determine veteran status and service-connection before guilty plea, with findings based on clear and convincing evidence; eligible veterans can receive probation without guilt adjudication rather than jail or prison time.

• Authorizes courts to order participation in treatment programs with preference for those with veteran expertise, including Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs programs, with possible sentence credits for residential treatment completion.

• Establishes dismissal of charges for veterans who successfully complete probation and court-ordered treatment, creating a not-public criminal record maintained only for court use in future proceedings.

• Permits counties and cities to establish optional veterans treatment court programs using veterans service officers and VA specialists, and allows pretrial diversion programs where prosecutors can dismiss charges upon successful program completion.