Minnesota Veterans Restorative Justice Act

The Minnesota legislature recently passed new legislation that allows some military veterans to avoid criminal conviction for crimes committed due to service-related medical conditions. Minnesota Statute Section 609.1056 specifically protects veterans who suffer from sexual trauma, traumatic brain injury, posttraumatic stress (PTSD), substance abuse, or a mental health condition and that are charged with a misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor, and most felonies ranked at a severity level 7 or lower. Qualifying veterans are now able to avoid a conviction even after a finding of guilty after trial or upon a guilty plea.

For this law to apply, the veteran must prove by clear and convincing evidence, that they suffer from an applicable condition, that the condition stems from service in the United States Military, and that the offense was committed as a result of the applicable condition. This law means that some veterans are able to avoid jail time and criminal convictions altogether.

 If you believe that you may qualify under the Minnesota Veterans Restorative Justice Act, call the experienced criminal defense attorneys at RAM Law PLLC to discuss your case.