KEY TAKEAWAYS

Eight military veterans completed veterans' court, a program that focuses on rehabilitation, on Thursday.

The program boasts an 81% success rate, helping veterans reintegrate into society "post-graduation."

SALT LAKE CITY — During what might otherwise be the appropriate time for sentencings, 3rd District Judge Teresa Welch presided over a graduation ceremony.

Eight U.S. Marine and Army veterans were marking the completion of a program Thursday that is aimed at helping them reform and put their lives back together, rather than focusing on punishment.

Each veteran, including Marine veteran Billy Hatch, addressed a room filled with family, friends, support staff and attorneys.

"Addiction has an ugly side," Hatch said. "And at some point, I thought that this introduction to

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