Ramsey County Veterans Court

by Apr 21, 2019

Often, veterans returning home from active duty face many struggles. Some veterans suffer from physical disabilities or mental health conditions that may keep them from returning to their past professions, cause financial struggles, and create strains in family relationships. Though some help is available through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, too many veterans do not realize that help is available or do not seek assistance for a variety of reasons. Unfortunately, some veterans who are struggling end up facing criminal charges.

In 2013, Ramsey County, Minnesota recognized the need to address the possible issues that may be behind criminal actions of veterans and launched a new veterans court. Similar to alternative courts like DUI court or drug court, veterans court provides a specialized path for veterans through the criminal justice system that provides resources to address underlying issues such as chemical dependency, mental or emotional concerns, and employment challenges to help them get their lives back on the right track.

Veterans court is not a free pass to get out of jail, however; the programs are rigorous and require significant time and effort on the part of the veterans to demonstrate that they do want to succeed. Veterans will only have charges dismissed or receive other benefits once they have completed their entire individualized program.

Who is eligible?

Not everyone who has served in the military and is facing criminal charges will qualify for veterans court. In order to qualify, the veteran must:

  • Be 18 years of age or older;
  • Have served in the U.S. military;
  • Have a chemical, mental, or behavioral health condition that is treatable; and
  • Have been charged with a non-violent misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor, or felony in Ramsey County, Minnesota.

Contact a Ramsey County criminal defense attorney for help

If you are a veteran who has been arrested or charged with a crime, you should not hesitate to pick up the phone and call our office today. As experienced personal injury and criminal defense attorneys in Minnesota, we understand all of the options available to veterans who are in the criminal justice system and will always work with you to carefully evaluate which option is best for your individual situation. Initial consultations are always free, so please contact the office today at 612-730-1738 to talk about how we can help you.

We can help. Contact us to begin discussing your case.

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310 Fourth Avenue S #7000
Minneapolis, MN 55415
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St. Paul, MN 55104
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