MN SF62

Applies to military veterans charged with Severity Level 7, D7, or lower offenses (including misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors) who allege the offense resulted from sexual trauma, traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, or mental health conditions stemming from military service.

Courts must determine eligibility by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant is or was a U.S. military member and suffers from a service-connected condition, with records filed as confidential and sealed.

Eligible defendants may defer proceedings and receive probation without entering a judgment of guilty, with probation duration not exceeding the maximum sentence for the offense, and may be ordered to attend treatment programs operated by Department of Defense or Veterans Affairs.

Upon successful completion of probation requirements and demonstrated significant benefit from treatment, the court must discharge and dismiss proceedings without adjudication of guilt, with a non-public record retained by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for future proceedings.

Authorizes counties and cities to establish veterans pretrial diversion programs and optional veterans treatment courts with integrated services, non-adversarial proceedings, and collaboration with county veterans service officers and the Department of Veterans Affairs.