While many may think the juvenile offender is incapable of fully understanding their actions or the consequences which arise as a result thereof and as such, should be treated with kid-gloves, I would tend to disagree. A look at the crimes committed by juveniles here in the city of Memphis in recent years reflects the inadequacy of the juvenile court system and its ability adequately deterand / or rehabilitate the offenders which come through its doors. As the instances of violent juvenile mob attacks or altercations seem to have increased, the idea that the offenders are not fully aware of their actions and as such should be given a slap on the wrist, effectively giving them free reign to commit other acts of criminal behavior and set out to intimidate the public once again is preposterous. …show more content…
It is my belief that the level of punishment should fit the level of the crime. The ability of minors to commit major offenses and receive reprimands such as probations or community service is unacceptable. Juvenile justice should be a reflection of the concept as Terry Maroney states, "Old enough to do the crime, old enough to do the time." (n.d.).
As the use of prosecutorial or judicial waivers allows for the transfer of juvenile offenders to criminal court on a local level, the existence of an underlying belief by these parties and as that of the legislative waiver is that the offender is beyond the realm of rehabilitation of the juvenile system. While the circumstances which in many instances contribute to such determinations include the age of the offender and, the nature of the offense, as stated by Elrod & Ryder, these offenses must be of a specified or felonious nature