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More handpicked essays just for you.
Differences between the juvenile system and adult criminal justice system
Changes in the brain during adolescent years
Juvenile corrections
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Juveniles should be tried as adults with life without parole but only in certain cases: depending on their motive or modus operandi, their crime, and criminal background. Motivation Scandalous kids who commit crimes for unreasonable motives should most definitely have life without the possibility of parole. In some cases, they’re just doing what they think is best. Jacob Ind, a 15 year old from Colorado, was beaten and sexually molested by his step father. His mother abused him as well.
One of the most controversial debates in today’s society is whether or not the court systems should try juveniles as adults. How is trying an adolescent as an adult ethical? Although everyone should be held responsible for their actions, it is scientifically proven the brain continues to mature until at least the age of twenty five. Juveniles should not be tried as adults when they are physically incapable of thinking like one, all juveniles deserve a second chance to better their lives through rehabilitation or counseling which is what the juvenile court systems focus more on and sending juveniles to adult prisons is not only dangerous, but it exposes juveniles to more violent criminals in prison.
There are certain instances of juveniles being tried as adults and sometimes ending up getting a life sentence without a chance of parole. I find that pretty harsh because there have been some cases where the juvenile meant no harm, they were either confused or brought along by gang members and they end up being charged along with the gang members for just being with them when a crime goes down. I believe that juveniles do not deserve to be given a life sentence because for one they are still maturing, they can learn from their mistakes and make amends, we still have to combat crimes like intended murder committed by a juvenile with extreme punishments especially if they are well over the age of 16. In the article published by the New York Times on March 14, 2012 “Juveniles Don’t Deserve Life Sentences”, Garinger discusses that juveniles deserve a second chance since their brains are still developing.
Teenegers who are tried as adults and are put into an adult prison, are opened to all types of physical abuse. In prison they’re vulnerable to rape from inmates and officers as well as gang attacks. Philip Holloway, reporter for CNN, states the difference in rape abuse between juvenile and adult prison. “These are kids who are five times more likely to be raped or otherwise sexually assaulted than in juvenile facilities. The risk of suicide is likewise much higher for juveniles in adult jails.”
There are many teens doing time for as an adult for minor crimes. Many people may argue that it's unfair due to the fact that teens aren't mentally grown. While, on the other hand, some may say that it's fair that teens get tired as an adult because they know what's right from wrong. Teens should be tried as an adult because the crimes they commit are not by accident, teens causing a crime just shows that teens are capable of doing anything, such as robbing a store or murdering someone. The juvenile courts do not have a jury, and offenders are not given a proper trial.
Eddy Aceves Ms. Matlen ERWC, Period 1 06 October 2016 Criminals, such as rapists and murders are being released from prison every single day of the year due to only serving a short and merciful sentences. Teenagers are being tried by juvenile courts shortening and reducing sentences to crimes that should be severely punished. They are released and given freedom for committing heinous crimes because the courts and juvenile rights advocates believe that the youth are entitled to second opportunities yet their victims and their families are let to suffer. Juveniles should be tried as adults when committing heinous crimes because it leaves the victims families in sorrow forever, it is most likely the will commit crimes again and they are self aware from right and wrong.
One might think that a juvenile should not be convicted as an adult. However, they should be for several reasons. If an adolescent is convicted as an adult, they have the possibility to get a longer sentence which gives them a longer time to ponder about their actions. Therefore, if an adolescent is convicted as an adult it could benefit them for several reasons.
In today’s society more and more young people are being quickly and silently maneuvered from Juvenile Courts to Adult Courts. The juvenile delinquents receiving harsher punishment are becoming increasingly younger and younger. This harsh punishment on juvenile crime is at the centerfold of one the top ethical debates of the criminal justice system. Should Juvenile be sentenced to life in prison without the possibilities of parole? In the excerpt above, (1) list the many restrictions placed on minors, under the age of 18 years old, due to the fact society as a whole, believes they are too young or immature to make good, informed, decisions.
Why should teen felons get to spend their jail time in juvenile detention centers for committing the same crimes as adults? In today’s world, teens are increasingly committing violent crimes and being put in juvenile detention centers. Teens need to be tried as adults because it helps to bring justice to families of victims, and it also teaches the teens accountability. Charging teens as adults will also help reduce crime in the United States. Although many people feel that teens should not be given severe punishments because they are immature and innocent, they have not considered the problem teens are creating by committing these crimes..
The opposition’s may think that they should be convicted as an adult because crimes are horrible things and they should be convicted as an adult rather they are an adult or not. Juveniles are often prompted by adults or even other peers to do things that they know are wrong. Teen drug rehabs states, “juveniles are more vulnerable or susceptible to negative influences and outside pressures, including peer pressure,” (Ritter). Furthermore, committing the crime isn’t entirely their fault. Also the juvenile brain isn’t as developed as an that of an adult’s which makes them more likely to act impulsively when giving hard decisions.
According to TIME, 1 in 3 people have been arrested before they are twenty-three. “1 in 3 people are arrested before they are 23” (Reaves 5). So, they committed these crimes as juveniles, should they convicted as adults? They should only be convicted as adults if did a felony and they have a criminal record prior to that. They should be convicted as adults if they have a prior criminal record because people who have a criminal record prior to that are thirty-four percent more likely to commit another crime.
Why are teenagers treated like adults when it comes to sentencing them to life in prison when they commit crimes but are not treated like adults when they want to vote,consume alcohol,buy tobacco,rent vehicles,leave a guardian’s care or even join the military? Teens as young as thirteen years old have been tried as adults and sentenced to die in prison, usually without considering their age or circumstances of the offense. Some young teens cannot manage the emotional, social, and psychological challenges of being a teenager which leads them to committing crimes because they believe they don’t have another choice. Rehabilitation is the answer to these young teens. Therefore, I believe Juveniles shouldn’t be treated like adults and be sentenced
In our society, crimes are being committed not only by adults but by juveniles as well. By law as soon as a person turns 18 they are considered to be an adult. So what if an adult and a juvenile were to commit the same crime yet were sentenced differently simply based on the fact that one is a child and one is an adult? Juveniles are committing violent crimes just as adults and should be given the equal treatment and sentencing as adults receive. Juveniles aren’t completely ignorant as everyone seems to think.
Juvenile Justice Should juveniles get treated as adults that’s one of the biggest controversy in our nation now days, with many juveniles committing crimes that are inconceivable according to their age. Judges have the last word on how to treat this young people. Many people argue that “the teens that are under eighteen are only kids, they won’t count them as young adults, not until they commit crimes. And the bigger the crime, the more eager this people are to call them adults” (Lundstrom 87). This is why people can’t come to a decision as how these young people should be treated like.
One reason why minors should not be treated the same as adults when committing crimes is that the consequences given to minors in adult court would have a negative impact on their life. One example is because prison may be an unsafe place for minors to rehabilitate in a way that they would be able to do