Downriver by Will Hobbs tells the story of a group of juvenile delinquents who set out on a dangerous rafting trip down the Grand Canyon. The group, which consists of five boys and one girl, are all in trouble with the law for various reasons, including theft, vandalism, and assault. While the novel portrays the group as complex individuals with their own struggles and motivations, the question remains: should they be charged with crimes for their actions? On one hand, the group of juvenile delinquents in Downriver should be charged with crimes for their actions. First and foremost, they engaged in illegal activities, including theft and vandalism. These actions not only harmed the individuals or businesses targeted, but also had a negative …show more content…
It is important to hold individuals accountable for their actions and to ensure that there are consequences for breaking the law. By charging the group with crimes, they will have to face the consequences of their actions and hopefully learn from their mistakes. Additionally, the group’s actions in the novel ultimately led to positive outcomes, such as forming strong bonds with each other and learning important life skills. While this does not excuse their illegal activities, it is worth considering whether the positive outcomes of their experiences should be taken into account when determining whether or not they should be charged with crimes. On the other hand, there are arguments to be made that the group of juvenile delinquents in Downriver should not be charged with crimes for their actions. One argument is that the group was acting out of desperation and a lack of other options. Many of the group members come from troubled backgrounds, and their criminal behavior may have been a result of their circumstances. By punishing them for their actions, we may be ignoring the root cause of their behavior and failing to address the larger societal issues that contributed to their