A.  Proof of a defendant‘s military service must be submitted to the court in which the criminal case is pending, and may be in any form the court determines to be appropriate, including but not limited to the illustrative examples detailed in this Section.  If the defendant was discharged from regular active duty after January 1, 1950, proof of military service may consist of a DD Form 214 or its functional equivalent.  If the defendant served in the military before January 1, 1950, proof of military service may consist of a discharge form, including a WD AGO 53, WD AGO 55, WD AGO 53-55, NAVPERS 553, NAVMC 78PD, and the NAVCG553.  If the defendant was discharged from the Army or Air Force National Guard, he may submit NGB Form 22, Report of Separation and Record of Service, or NGB Form 23, or its equivalent.  If currently serving in the military, the defendant may provide an original statement of service signed by or at the direction of the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of the defendant’s unit or superior officer within the defendant’s chain of command which identifies the defendant and his social security number. The statement must provide at a minimum the date of entry on his current service period and the duration of service.

B.  The court must make a determination on the record in the docketed criminal case that the defendant is an eligible veteran for him to be enrolled as a program participant in a Veterans Court program.

Acts 2014, No. 716, §1.