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SF 16

as introduced - 91st Legislature, 2020 3rd Special Session (2020 - 2020) Posted on 08/13/2020 08:54am

KEY: stricken = removed, old language.
underscored = added, new language.
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A bill for an act
relating to crime; providing guidance to courts on sentencing veterans for criminal
offenses related to a service-related disorder; proposing coding for new law in
Minnesota Statutes, chapter 609.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [609.1056] MILITARY VETERAN OFFENDERS RESTORATIVE
JUSTICE SENTENCE.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Offenses as a result of military service; presentence supervision
procedures.
new text end

new text begin (a) In the case of a person charged with a criminal offense that is either Severity
Level 7, D7, or lower in the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines, including misdemeanor or
gross misdemeanor offenses, who could otherwise be sentenced to county jail or state prison
and who alleges that the offense was committed as a result of sexual trauma, traumatic brain
injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, or mental health conditions stemming
from service in the United States military, the court shall, prior to entering a plea of guilty,
make a determination as to whether the defendant was, or currently is, a member of the
United States military and whether the defendant may be suffering from sexual trauma,
traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, or mental health
conditions as a result of that person's service. The court may request, through existing
resources, an assessment to aid in that determination.
new text end

new text begin (b) A defendant who requests to be sentenced under this section shall release or authorize
access to military service reports and records relating to the alleged conditions stemming
from service in the United States military. The records shall be filed as confidential and
remain sealed, except as provided for in this paragraph. The defendant, through existing
records or licensed professional evaluation, shall establish the diagnosis of the condition
and its connection to military service. The court, on the prosecutor's motion with notice to
defense counsel, may order the defendant to furnish to the court for in camera review or to
the prosecutor copies of all medical and military service reports and records previously or
subsequently made concerning the defendant's condition and its connection to service. Based
on the record, the court shall make findings on whether, by clear and convincing evidence,
the defendant suffers from a diagnosable condition and whether that condition stems from
service in the United States military. Within 15 days of the court's findings, either party
may file a challenge to the findings and demand a hearing on the defendant's eligibility
under this section.
new text end

new text begin (c) If the court concludes that a defendant who entered a plea of guilty to a criminal
offense is a person described in this subdivision or the parties stipulate to eligibility, and if
the defendant is otherwise eligible for probation, the court shall, upon the defendant entering
a plea of guilty, without entering a judgment of guilty and with the consent of the defendant,
defer further proceedings and place the defendant on probation upon such reasonable
conditions as it may require and for a period not to exceed the maximum sentence provided
for the violation. If the veteran has previously received a stay of adjudication for a felony
offense under this section, the court may in its discretion sentence consistent with this section
or deny the use of this section on subsequent felony offenses. If the court denies a stay of
adjudication on this basis, the court may sentence pursuant to the guidelines, application,
or waiver of statutory mandatory minimums, or a departure pursuant to subdivision 2,
paragraph (d).
new text end

new text begin (d) Upon violation of a condition of the probation, the court may enter an adjudication
of guilt and proceed as otherwise provided by law, including sentencing pursuant to the
guidelines, application or waiver of statutory mandatory minimums, or a departure under
subdivision 2, paragraph (d).
new text end

new text begin (e) As a condition of probation, the court may order the defendant to attend a local, state,
federal, or private nonprofit treatment program for a period not to exceed that period which
the defendant would have served in state prison or county jail, provided the defendant agrees
to participate in the program and the court determines that an appropriate treatment program
exists.
new text end

new text begin (f) A defendant granted probation under this section and ordered to attend a residential
treatment program may be awarded sentence credits for the actual time the defendant serves
in residential treatment.
new text end

new text begin (g) The court, in making an order under this section to order a defendant to attend an
established treatment program, shall give preference to a treatment program that has a history
of successfully treating veterans who suffer from sexual trauma, traumatic brain injury,
post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, or mental health problems as a result of that
service, including but not limited to programs operated by the United States Departments
of Defense or Veterans Affairs.
new text end

new text begin (h) The court and the assigned treatment program shall, when available, collaborate with
the county veterans service officer and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs
to maximize benefits and services provided to the veteran.
new text end

new text begin (i) If available in the county or judicial district having jurisdiction over the case, the
defendant may be supervised by the veterans treatment court program under subdivision 3.
If there is a veterans treatment court that meets the requirements of subdivision 3 in the
county in which the defendant resides or works, supervision of the defendant may be
transferred to that county or judicial district veterans treatment court program. If the defendant
successfully completes the veterans treatment court program in the supervising jurisdiction,
that jurisdiction shall sentence the defendant under this section. If the defendant is
unsuccessful in the veterans treatment court program, the defendant's supervision shall be
returned to the jurisdiction that initiated the transfer for standard sentencing.
new text end

new text begin (j) Sentencing pursuant to this section waives any right to administrative review pursuant
to section 169A.53, subdivision 1, or judicial review pursuant to section 169A.53, subdivision
2, for a license revocation or cancellation imposed pursuant to section 169A.52, and also
waives any right to administrative review pursuant to section 171.177, subdivision 10, or
judicial review pursuant to section 171.177, subdivision 11, for a license revocation or
cancellation imposed pursuant to section 171.177, if that license revocation or cancellation
is the result of the same incident that is being sentenced.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Restorative justice for military veterans; dismissal of charges. new text end

new text begin (a) It is in
the interests of justice to restore a defendant who acquired a criminal record due to a mental
health condition stemming from service in the United States military to the community of
law abiding citizens. The restorative provisions of this subdivision apply to cases in which
a court monitoring the defendant's performance of probation under this section finds at a
public hearing, held after not less than 15 days' notice to the prosecution, the defense, and
any victim of the offense, that all of the following describe the defendant:
new text end

new text begin (1) the defendant was granted probation and was at the time that probation was granted
a person eligible under subdivision 1;
new text end

new text begin (2) the defendant is in substantial compliance with the conditions of that probation;
new text end

new text begin (3) the defendant has successfully participated in court-ordered treatment and services
to address the sexual trauma, traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance
abuse, or mental health problems stemming from military service;
new text end

new text begin (4) the defendant does not represent a danger to the health and safety of others; and
new text end

new text begin (5) the defendant has demonstrated significant benefit from court-ordered education,
treatment, or rehabilitation to clearly show that granting restorative relief pursuant to this
subdivision would be in the interests of justice.
new text end

new text begin (b) When determining whether granting restorative relief under this subdivision is in
the interests of justice, the court may consider, among other factors, all of the following:
new text end

new text begin (1) the defendant's completion and degree of participation in education, treatment, and
rehabilitation as ordered by the court;
new text end

new text begin (2) the defendant's progress in formal education;
new text end

new text begin (3) the defendant's development of career potential;
new text end

new text begin (4) the defendant's leadership and personal responsibility efforts;
new text end

new text begin (5) the defendant's contribution of service in support of the community; and
new text end

new text begin (6) the level of harm to the community or victim from the offense.
new text end

new text begin (c) If the court finds that a case satisfies each of the requirements described in paragraph
(a), then upon expiration of the period of probation the court shall discharge the defendant
and dismiss the proceedings against that defendant. Discharge and dismissal under this
subdivision shall be without court adjudication of guilt, but a not public record of it shall
be retained by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for the purpose of use by the courts
in determining the merits of subsequent proceedings against the defendant. The not public
record may also be opened only upon court order for purposes of a criminal investigation,
prosecution, or sentencing. Upon request by law enforcement, prosecution, or corrections
authorities, the bureau shall notify the requesting party of the existence of the not public
record and the right to seek a court order to open it under this section. The court shall forward
a record of any discharge and dismissal under this subdivision to the bureau which shall
make and maintain the not public record of it as provided under this subdivision. The
discharge or dismissal shall not be deemed a conviction for purposes of disqualifications
or disabilities imposed by law upon conviction of a crime or for any other purpose. For
purposes of this subdivision, "not public" has the meaning given in section 13.02, subdivision
8a.
new text end

new text begin (d) If the charge to which the defendant entered a plea of guilty is listed under subdivision
1, paragraph (a), and is for an offense that is a presumptive commitment to state
imprisonment, the court may use the factors of paragraph (a) to justify a dispositional
departure, or any sentence appropriate including the application or waiver of statutory
mandatory minimums. If the court finds paragraph (a), clauses (1) to (5), factors, defendant
is presumed amenable to probation.
new text end

new text begin (e) A dismissal under this subdivision does not apply to an offense for which registration
is required under section 243.166, subdivision 1b.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Optional veterans treatment court program; procedures for eligible
defendants.
new text end

new text begin (a) A county or judicial district may supervise probation under this section
through a veterans treatment court, using county veterans service officers appointed under
sections 197.60 to 197.606, United States Department of Veterans Affairs veterans justice
outreach specialists, probation agents, and any other rehabilitative resources available to
the court.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Veterans treatment court program" means a program that has the following essential
characteristics:
new text end

new text begin (1) the integration of services in the processing of cases in the judicial system;
new text end

new text begin (2) the use of a nonadversarial approach involving prosecutors and defense attorneys to
promote public safety and to protect the due process rights of program participants;
new text end

new text begin (3) early identification and prompt placement of eligible participants in the program;
new text end

new text begin (4) access to a continuum of alcohol, controlled substance, mental health, and other
related treatment and rehabilitative services;
new text end

new text begin (5) careful monitoring of treatment and services provided to program participants;
new text end

new text begin (6) a coordinated strategy to govern program responses to participants' compliance;
new text end

new text begin (7) ongoing judicial interaction with program participants;
new text end

new text begin (8) monitoring and evaluation of program goals and effectiveness;
new text end

new text begin (9) continuing interdisciplinary education to promote effective program planning,
implementation, and operations;
new text end

new text begin (10) development of partnerships with public agencies and community organizations,
including the United States Department of Veterans Affairs; and
new text end

new text begin (11) inclusion of a participant's family members who agree to be involved in the treatment
and services provided to the participant under the program.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Creation of county and city diversion programs; authorization. new text end

new text begin Any county
or city may establish and operate a veterans pretrial diversion program for offenders eligible
under subdivision 1 without penalty under section 477A.0175. "Pretrial diversion" means
the decision of a prosecutor to refer an offender to a diversion program on condition that
the criminal charges against the offender shall be dismissed after a specified period of time,
or the case shall not be charged, if the offender successfully completes the program of
treatment recommended by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or a local,
state, federal, or private nonprofit treatment program.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2020.
new text end