Veterans: criminal defendants: mental health issues and restorative relief.

Existing law requires a court, in the case of any person convicted of a criminal offense who could otherwise be sentenced to county jail or state prison and who alleges that he or she committed the offense as a result of sexual trauma, traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, or mental health problems stemming from service in the United States military to make a determination, prior to sentencing, as to whether the defendant was, or currently is, a member of the United States military and whether the defendant may be suffering from sexual trauma, traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, or mental health problems as a result of that service. If the court concludes that a defendant convicted of a criminal offense is such a person, and if the defendant is otherwise eligible for probation and the court places the defendant on probation, existing law authorizes the court to order the defendant into a local, state, federal, or private nonprofit treatment program for a period not to exceed that which the defendant would have served in state prison or county jail, provided the defendant agrees to participate in the program and the court determines that an appropriate treatment program exists. This bill would authorize a court to grant restorative relief to a criminal defendant who comes within the description set forth above if the court finds, at a public hearing held after not less then 15 days' notice to the prosecution, the defense, and any victim of the offense, that the defendant meets specified criteria, including that he or she does not represent a danger to the health and safety of others. The bill would authorize the court to take any of specified actions, including deeming all conditions of probation, except victim restitution, to be satisfied, including fines, fees, assessments, and programs, and terminating probation prior to the expiration of the term of probation, reducing a felony to a misdemeanor, as specified, setting aside the conviction and dismissing the action, or providing other specified relief. The bill would provide that a dismissal of the action pursuant to these provisions releases the defendant from all penalties and disabilities resulting from the offense of which the defendant has been convicted in the dismissed action, except as specified.