ST. PAUL, Minn. – In an event at St. Paul’s Veterans Memorial Park, Governor Tim Walz signed legislation to exempt veterans from jail time for so-called Level 7 and lesser crimes due to a service-related condition. The new law, the Veterans Restorative Justice Act, provides probation and social services rather than jail. Walz, himself a veteran, said the law “helps us see the bigger picture when veterans get caught in the criminal justice system.” He cited “the complexity of the challenges veterans face when they come home.” The law does not exempt veterans in all circumstances. The law is for service-related issues such as chemical exposure, physical injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, and military sexual trauma. Not covered, for example, are murder, sexual assault, aggravated robbery, and assault.
Governor at desk with pen. Walz puts signature to Legislature’s restorative justice law for veterans.