Samantha Panek Dr. Lennie Irvin English 1301-279 April 29, 2012 Should Juveniles be tried as Adults? There are many controversies that surround juveniles being rehabilitated rather than going through the adult justice system, but studies show that juveniles are not fully developed to be tried as an adult. One of the main questions that it always boils down to is “should juveniles be tried as adults?” in my opinion juveniles should not be tried as adults because of their age. First, I believe that juveniles should not be tried as adults because their mentalities are not fully developed. Children are often unable to consider the long term consequences of their actions, have difficulty taking the perspective of others, and typically have …show more content…
If we simply send juveniles through the adult justice system it might make them worse individuals. For instance, since their minds are still growing, by being around worse criminals they may pick on their criminal traits. Some juveniles that went through traumatic experiences which led to their sentencing will be able to get to the roots of their issues, since the counselors will be there to guide them. Finally, I believe that by being rehabilitated the juvenile will have a better chance at life because eventually they will be back in society. Juveniles that go through the rehabilitation process will be able to have a clean record after they reach 18, where as the exact opposite if they went through the adult justice system. When they get out, they will have adult criminal records that aren’t erased. (The New York Times p.28) Once the rehabilitated juveniles are released, they will be able to start a new life. Juveniles will be able to get a job and maybe earn a degree for a specific profession without being viewed a criminal. Since the juvenile will have gone through rehabilitation they will have a different perception on life, and will also understand that for every action there is a reaction. They will make smarter choices and hopefully not want to return to the lifestyle In conclusion I feel that by not trying juveniles as adults it is a better outcome for the child and society. We are also giving the juvenile a second chance at the future that everyone
Juveniles should be tried as adults when they commit serious crimes as opposed to rehabilitation or various forms of lesser sentencing. The rate of juveniles in prison has increased over the years. Many young adults and children often seek for attention which leads them to cause trouble out in the streets. There are risk levels that officers have to make in order to help the juveniles or if committing a serious crime, they should pay the consequences. Many may oppose and think that young adults and children are not adults, but they should be punished for the crimes they have done.
Whether a child who has committed a serious crime deserves rehabilitation or harsh punishment has been argued and the Juvenile Justice System is being blamed. Children who deserve real punishment are receiving rehab and children who deserve rehab are receiving harsh punishment. Many children’s lives are getting ruined because of unnecessary harsh punishment. Some juvenile offenders are not learning their lesson. The article “Sentences Show Acknowledge Juveniles’ Maturity, and Immaturity,” by Laurence Steinburg and the article, “Remember the Victims of Juvenile Offenders,” by Jenifer Bishop-Jenkins differ not only in their views of issues surrounding the American juvenile justice system, they differ in quality; however, Steinburg who argues for rehabilitation, clearly presents the best argument using logical reasoning and relevant evidence.
Court systems are left with difficult decisions. A controversial decision courts are faced with today is whether or not juveniles are to be tried as adults. The increasing number of incarcerated children in adult jails raises questions as to why. Adolescents sentenced to prison are more likely to be abused, commit suicide, or reoffend, thus committing more serious offenses. The statutes requiring juveniles to enter adult prisons are inhumane and in-just. Nevertheless, sentencing children to adult prisons continues regularly today. When adolescents commit crimes, they should be tried as juveniles rather than adults.
more likely to successfully transform their behaviors due to rehabilitation. Second, due to the distinction that juvenile crime is often a result of “unfortunate yet transient immaturity,” a youth offender is deemed to be more likely to reject future involvement in criminal behavior as the youth transitions into adulthood. The realistic possibility that many, if not most youths will grow out of their involvement in illegal activity, points to the reality that long criminal sentences cannot be justified by the need to ensure public safety. In essence, long term incarceration of youth does not often achieve the preventative purposes of criminal justice. In Graham and Miller, SCOTUS emphatically determined that life without the opportunity for parole does not offer youth offenders a semblance of opportunity for reform. In most juveniles, the Court emphasizes, reform will be achieved through rehabilitative efforts coupled with maturity.
However, most of the young offenders commit severe offenses as a result of influence by drugs or having a family with a criminal history among others (Finley, 2011). Consequently exposing the young people to prison life full of adult convicts who have committed more serious offenses will most likely add up to their deviant and violent behavior. The criminal justice system that expects the young people to change and be good people once they have left the prisons end up convicting them again when they are adults. This is because once the offenders are out, they are likely to participate in more offenses as a result of the hardships they have endured in prison (Marion, 2011). The young offenders should thus be judged in the juvenile courts and also be punished according to the juvenile
The numbers of Juveniles being tried, and convicted as adults within the U.S are beginning to rise drastically. There are many reasons for the sudden increase such as lack of space in juvenile detention centers, and the rise in repeat offenders. This is starting to become a serious issue due to the effects that this act has on kids under the age of 18 no matter the crime at hand. Cambridge Dictionary describes a Juvenile Delinquent as, “a young person, usually under 18, who commits a crime” (Cambridge Dictionary) Many Juveniles are being tried as adults as well as convicted due to the crime committed. Though this is a strong argument as to why they should be allowed to live among adult convicts, the effects that this move can have on juveniles
An estimated 250,000 juveniles are tried, sentenced, or incarcerated as adults every year across the United States.With most offenses being non violent, these juveniles go to adult prisons where they are with convicted felons that have committed murder, rape, assault and much more. The youths in adult prison have no form of rehabilitation to better their lives or seek a form for help. With the supreme court ruling that juveniles who commit murder, could not be sentenced to life in prison . Juveniles now can not be tried as adults since they are legally not an adult and would have a second chance to society.
Should Juveniles be Tried as Adults? Violent crimes are committed in the United States everyday. Almost one-half of them are committed by teenagers ages 13 through 17 ("End of Line" 484). After the crimes have been committed and the lives of these children have been radically changed, society often demands that those who commit violent crimes be tried as adults, rather than as adolescents. Juveniles should be given light sentences and a second chance to return to the streets. Trying these teens as adults unjust and unfair, there other alternatives that our society can turn to, to help make our communities better places to live. We need to realize that children are our future, and we
We live in a society today, juvenile justice is a concern for law enforcement. One thing is for sure and that whether or not to try teens should be tried as an adult and be given adult sentence. In all of the states there are juvenile justice systems where teens are tried and put into juvenile jail . The main focus of these jails are to help them thru rehab t and make them better it just not a punishment . The thing is there so many teens out there being tried as an adult.. Although some people want the death sentence for teens there still doesn't exists only teens get life sentence instead but these juveniles do not deserve to be treated this way they should be treated better; they deserve a chance for a better life, a chance to change, and they are not going to have this chance in prison. Juveniles should not be tried as adults.
The issue of juvenile transfer to criminal court is a very sensitive subject to every individual who care about the young ones in society, because it pertains to our youths who are considered to be “the future.” Many will ask if it is right for us to allow juveniles to be transferred to adult criminal court, and if so under what circumstances. Some believe that the best course of action regarding juvenile offenders is not transferring them to criminal court but rehabilitation – these individuals view punishment as a failed strategy for changing behavior, teaching skills, or developing new or more positive
Teenagers should not be tried as adults. Due to the lack of cognitive development, outcome of going to a prison, and the vindictiveness of taking someone’s life away. Unless a legal no one should be tried as an adult. It is unjust to push someone - that is in no sense an adult other than their physical features - through a system that is for
Each day, juveniles who commit adult crimes, are being released from jail only after serving short sentences. They are being tried in courts of law and they are receiving short sentences for their crimes, while the victims and their families are left to suffer and cope with the consequences of the criminal’s actions. Many of these young criminals are now free, walking on the streets and, in many cases, committing additional crimes because the courts believe that second chances should be granted to juveniles who commit crimes. Some people agree to stop accusing juveniles as adults and try them as juveniles, while others believe they must be tried as adults when they commit adult crimes. I believe that juveniles should be held responsible for
Either to try individuals as adults or juveniles has evoked profound strife. I strongly believe that all individuals over the age 15 should be tried as an adult no matter the crime. According to the Justice Department, serious illegal offenses such as rape, assault, robbery with violence, and drug negotiation have increased among juveniles to 30% with 10% of all homicides by juveniles. To begin with, juveniles have the ability to plan a kill. As well as acknowledging that a crime by a juvenile is no different than a crime by an adult.
Should juveniles be tried as adults? There are many conflicts to this question.Many people say no and others say yes. Today many juveniles that commit serious crimes do get tried as adults. Violent crimes are committed in the United States every day. Almost one-half of them are committed by teenagers ages 13 through 17. In 2015 there were seven thousand juveniles that were tried as an adult. I do believe that juveniles should be tried as adults because anyone who commits a serious crime should be punished, the boy has the capacity to understand what they are doing, and these young adults are old enough to take responsibility for their actions.
Juvenile criminals must, and should be tried as adults. There are many reasons to support this argument. First of all, a crime is a crime, no matter who did it, or how old they are. If two people are murdered and one murder is committed by a 40-year old and another is committed by a 15-year old, is there any difference