Courts are increasingly relying on military service records in deciding sentences for veterans accused of crimes.

Since 2008, 31 so-called veterans courts have been established to exclusively handle the criminal cases of veterans.

Veterans in those courts are typically sentenced to probation and counseling rather than prison and must stay clean and sober.

There's debate over whether such special treatment is fair. And even the supporters disagree over what crimes committed by veterans who suffer from post traumatic syndrome, severe brain injuries and other service-related maladies should qualify for leniency.