Veterans Courts in Arizona - What They Are, How They Work, and Who Qualifies
What is Veterans Court?
Who is Veterans' Court for?
Who is eligible for Veterans' Court?
- The criminal charge that the veteran is facing
- The veteran's legal history
- Plea agreements that may exist
- Recommendations from Adult Probation Departments
- The veteran being willing to fully participate in the program
How can a veteran remain eligible for a Veterans Court program?
What is the process for Arizona Veterans Courts?
Progress in the treatment program is closely monitored by the Court. Non-compliance with the treatment program can lead to penalties which may include incarceration, community service, and reprimand by the Judge. In cases of continuous non-compliance, a veteran may be removed from Veterans' Court. The favorable terms of any plea agreement may revoked and a sentence given.
Example
A.R.S. § 26-168 extends the following protections to members of the National Guard or U.S. Armed Forces Reserves:
- Employers may not prohibit service members from taking a leave of absence from employment due to following competent orders. Competent orders are orders issued by the National Guard or any of the Armed Services to report to duty, training, or drills.
- Service member’s time on military leave may not impact an employee’s vacation rights. However, an employer is allowed to count the absences during military leave for calculating an employee’s eligibility for vacation time and pay.
- Members of the National Guard or the U.S. Armed Forces Reserves may not lose seniority while away.
- When service members return from military service, an employer should allow the employee to receive their previous role.
- Employers may also place returning service members in a role of higher status which they would have earned and be qualified for if it had not been for their military leave.
A.R.S. § 26-168 also addresses State Employees who are National Guard or U.S. Armed Forces Reserves:
- May take leave of absence from employment due to competent orders without losing seniority, pay, or efficiency rating.
- Their time during active duty should not be deducted from any vacation time they have earned.
- Should be given 15 days of paid military leave each year or 30 paid days within two years.
Prohibited practices under the A.R.S. § 26-168 include:
- Not allowing members of the National Guard or the U.S. Armed Forces Reserves from following competent orders, and
- Not allowing a service member return to the position they held before receiving a competent order.
A person who violates these protections may be guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor (A.R.S. § 26-168 (E)). These matters are held in Superior Court.
What happens to veterans who complete their program successfully?
Upon successful completion of a Veterans' Court program, diversion eligible veterans may have their case dismissed. Veterans on probation may have their probation successfully terminated.
Veterans in Veterans' Court can expect to be subjected to more frequent reviews by the court to monitor the veteran’s progress in their treatment programs.
Veterans making satisfactory progress may be recognized by the Court and offered words of encouragement.
Veterans not making satisfactory progress may expect words of encouragement of an entirely different nature and additional penalties may be given.
Successful completion of the Veterans Court program will be marked by “graduation” from the program.