Work progresses on Dona Ana County veterans court

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — A veterans court in Dona Ana County is a few months away from its start as officials put in the last pieces of infrastructure for the program. The Las Cruces Sun-News reports (http://bit.ly/2f5Qp7l) the court would allow veterans or active-duty military members who are charged with crimes to choose treatment programs rather than jail time. District Attorney Mark D'Antonio said grants and other funding sources can be pursued once the program is up and running. New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas said he hopes the Dona Ana County program achieves encouraging results similar to veteran treatment courts in Bernalillo County. A veterans court in Albuquerque has had 42 out of 75 participants graduate. The court has fewer repeat offenders at 7.1 percent compared to the national rate of 43 percent.