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Veterans Court Plans Move Forward In Dona Ana County

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — A years-long effort to create a veterans court in Dona Ana County is nearing fruition. The Las Cruces Sun-News reports (http://bit.ly/2briGnw) the court would allow veterans or active-duty military members who are charged with crimes to choose treatment programs rather than jail time. County commissioners unanimously voted to support the court's development. Volunteer judges and resources need to be lined up, among other tasks. No new employees or public funding will be used to set up the court. District Attorney's Office spokesman Patrick Hayes says the court will be modeled after the El Paso Veterans Court and could be running within a year. El Paso Veterans Court Judge Angie Juarez Barill says the recidivism rate is about 6 percent. She said veterans' courts typically have lower rates of repeat offenders.