Each county attorney may set up a veterans diversion program for charged military members and veterans, which may lead to dismissal of charges after the program is completed, though people charged with certain serious offenses cannot take part.
Official title: diversion program; military members; veterans
- September 12, 2026
What changes
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NowA county attorney may set up a veterans diversion program to treat defendants who are military members or veterans. Diversion generally means handling a case through a program instead of the usual prosecution.
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NowThe county attorney has sole discretion to decide whether to divert a person's prosecution before a guilty plea or trial. The program may be set up to require a guilty plea before a person enters it.
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NowThe program may provide for the criminal complaint to be dismissed when a person successfully completes the program.
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NowDefendants charged with an offense involving the death of or serious physical injury to another person, a violation of Title 13, chapter 14 or 35.1, or an offense involving a continuing criminal enterprise cannot take part.
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NowMilitary member means anyone serving in the U.S. uniformed services, including regular, reserve and National Guard parts of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. Veteran means anyone who served in and was discharged, separated or released from those services.
Who it affects
- Military members charged with crimes
- Veterans charged with crimes
- County attorneys
What you need to do
Nothing.
What the law doesn't answer
- Which crimes fall under Title 13, chapters 14 and 35.1
- What treatment or requirements the program would involve
- How long the program would last or what counts as successful completion
- Whether there is a cost to participants or how programs are funded
- What happens if a participant does not complete the program
- Whether any county must create a program
This summary describes the law as enacted. Later laws, court rulings or referendum petitions can change the picture. Check the official text for the current wording.