Should Veterans receive special treatment in Court after committing a crime?

This is not special treatment for veterans only, even civilians after committing felony crimes has the right to be examined by a psychiatrist, to determined if a person is sane or insane to stand trial. For example if the veteran now have the mental capacity of a Ten year old, trying him in regular court is not Justice. This veterans would then have to be tried in Court in a Mental Health Facility, which could lead to life incarcerated in a Mental Health Institution. It doesn't mean a person goes free for his/her crime sane or insane, its just finding the right court for the person(s) circumstances if treatment is needed for the rest of his/her life.

This has been an interesting discussion so far. I'm a Vietnam vet who spent a 37-year career in a large law enforcement agency. (I have my own 'stress issues' from both.)

Some veterans deployed to a combat zone, some didn't. Some of those who deployed saw actual combat, some didn't. Some of those who saw combat suffer from PTSD and/or have other disabilities, some don't. Why would just "being a veteran" be a reason to allow your or me to receive a lesser punishment, or escape punishment altogether, if we commit a crime? Would the same "special treatment" apply to other groups, like Peace Corps or Red Cross volunteers, or international aid workers, some of whom work in very dangerous, stressful places? (Just asking, not suggesting.) (As one comment in this discussion pointed out, some veterans were thugs when they joined, they were thugs while they served, and they are still thugs after they get out.)

Service-related disabilities, both mental and physical, deserve the same consideration as any other disabilities, especially similar disabilities, regardless of the cause. (You don't have to be a military veteran to suffer from PTSD, although it seems to be much more prevalent among vets.) Did a disability significantly impair someone's ability to "form criminal intent," the ability to tell right from wrong? If it did, then is the cause of that disability really relevant? Legally, either we're impaired or we're not.

If my disability doesn't rise to that threshold, it can still be considered as a "mitigating factor" at sentencing. I've seen that happen many times.

So in answer to your question, should veterans receive special treatment in court, I'll answer, "Sometimes, but not because they are a veteran." In the legal system, we should be held just as accountable, and also receive the same considerations, as anyone else.

All evidence should be weight, period. A rape victim should be considered for psychological help following a crime, because trauma does absolutely have its effect. It's not just veterans. If a person was hurt or killed in the crime, justice must be meted out for that. That is to help with the healing process of the victim and victim's family. Our justice system, quite frankly, is poorly set up in my opinion. I'd like to see true corrections and rehabilitation and not at the tremendous expense of taxpayers. Paying for a criminals education is not fixing the problem inside of them. That's what it's supposed to be about, isn't it? What about setting up correctional facilities staffed with recovering drug addicts for drug offenders? Working with the inmates will help those in recovery and provide real rehabilitation for the offender. The same holds true with veterans with PTSD. They must accept justice for their crime, but throwing them in a cell isn't really going to help them or society.

On account of what? Absolutely NO. Some vets were already delinquents and law breakers before they joined or were given the option to join by a judge. Only a Corrupt, Incompetent and Perverse Legal system would do that.

I am torn here because if the vet commits murder and is suffering from PTS maybe some consideration should be used. This is a difficult issue to reason out but, if a crime is committed the victim rights need to be considered too.

Yes and No. Depend on the circumstances and type of crime.

I feel it should go by an individual case by case. If the vet has a bad case of PTSD I'd say consider. If just trying to use the being a vet bears no difference. I've seen vets use that excuse used several times. Such as guy left his dog in a hot car and when confronted about it used the excuse he was a veteran. Now do you think that makes a difference. Hell no. you did your time but gives you no right to be cruel to animals or children or anyone for that fact. Just a sorry a.$ careless bum.

I think as veterans we should be held to a higher standard. You fill in the blanks.

In some cases I can see "special" treatment, only to defer to the fact that they have served their country honorably. When I first read this I thought, "like celebrities?". I do think that veterans should be given a small amount of deference with a good chewing out - something to the effect of "I am taking into account your honorable service to our country, but you are not acting honorably now".

Not to digress (but I will), I think it is stupid that we give deference to celebrities. If you stole a pair of shoes, you should pay the price, the same as everyone else. Just because you are on TV or movies you should not get released from jail early. If it is delaying a multi-million dollar budgeted movie, too bad. They will think twice before committing a crime again, because their career will suffer.

Because of this stance, I think that veterans should be given a small amount of leeway, in terms of what the punishment is or how severe the punishment is.

Typically, no there should be no difference in the treatment of veterans. The one exception that I can see is when the vet is suffering from PTSD. This is a situation where the nation has consented to send their people into harms way and, as such, needs to suck it up and deal with what that action does to people.
Not that this should apply to all civil infractions mind you but the use of trained and experienced shrinks in the courtroom could moderate the impending punishment to get the most advisement for upstream treatment of vets just getting out. If the infraction is a case of the vet dealing with veteran issues, it needs to be recognized as such.