OH HB409

Permits courts of common pleas, municipal courts, and county courts to establish veterans treatment courts certified by the Ohio Supreme Court as specialized docket programs.

Allows courts without veterans treatment courts to contract with other courts that operate such programs and transfer eligible defendants while retaining jurisdiction over cases.

Defendants charged with criminal offenses who are veterans or active duty military members are eligible for diversion to veterans treatment court if not charged with felonies of the first, second, or third degree and not charged with sex offenses.

Eligible defendants must enter guilty pleas and waive rights to speedy trial, preliminary hearing, and arraignment before entering the program; successful completion results in dismissal of proceedings without adjudication of guilt.

Upon program violation, the original court enters a finding of guilty and imposes appropriate sanctions; defendants diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder or mental illness may have records sealed upon successful completion.