In the end people might have different opinions on the situation, whether a juvenile should be sentence to life or not. The situation of the juvenile should be taken into consideration and take action with that, but if they are guilty they should receive the fair sentence even if they are young. They can later be acknowledge for their rehab and change, and only then should their sentenced should be reduced. Juveniles deserve the same treatment as adult and should receive life sentences.
People argue that some juveniles are “too young and they don’t understand” but either way, they still broke the law and should be fairly punished. A fact stating “There are approximately 6,000 juveniles in adult jails and prisons in the United States” shows that people who have broken the law with felonies have been confined by law, no matter the age. People need to learn before they act in a similar manner, again. A similar case is a boy named Craig Price from Rhode Island who had committed multiple felonies, such as four murders and was charged as a minor, meaning he was arrested around age 16 and would get out and have his criminal record sealed at age 21. Because of this, a law was changed so that juveniles could be tried as adults with serious crimes.
Today, courts ruled life without parole for non-homicide crime is unconstitutional. Some states allow experimenting with alternate sentencing options such as a “blended adult” portion of their sentence until they turn 21. Therefore the judge can keep track of the progress that the child had made and make as needed changes to the sentencing. (Sentenced Young) The juvenile court system will forever need adjustments as year’s progress and generation cohorts and crime rates change.
So, teenagers will make stupid mistakes at that young age. Instead of giving the teenager life in prision they should be sentence to centain years in prison like 40-50 years maximum years that way they served their time in jail and still can enjoy the rest of their life. Also, children that are sent to adult prison are at great risk for being abused. If adolescdents suffer horric abused when sent to adult prison, then children are five times more likely to be assaulted as well. A child will not be able to protect his or her self
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.
In the United States prisons there are two thousand juveniles serving life without parole before, the age of eighteen. Only one of a few countries in the world allows children, to be sentenced to prison without release. And, the United States is one of them holding young teens accountable for their actions. But, there is accordance with age, stage development and how their cases should be dealt with in court. There are an estimated twenty-six percent of juveniles sentenced to prison for life convicted with felony murder.
In 2012, the Supreme Court ruled that it is immoral to give juveniles life sentences, even if they commit a crime as serious as murder, because it is a cruel and unusual punishment. This has been an issue in America as teenagers are often treated as adults in court due to a belief that their crimes warrant a harsh punishment. Many believe that these kids should not be given such major sentences because they are still immature and do not have the self control that adults do. I agree that juveniles do not deserve life sentences because they put less thought and planning into these crimes and they often are less malicious than adults. The article “Startling Finds on Teenage Brains” explains that the teenagers lose brain tissue that is responsible for self control and impulses (Thompson 7).
When people commit crimes, there should be disciplined no matter what. Juveniles need to learn that their behaviors have consequences. Why should kids be given any less of a punishment for committing the same crime? According to one author, “Taking a life is murder regardless of the age of the offender, and the penalties to be imposed must not discriminate. After all, the victim’s life will never be returned, and the family will permanently lose their loved one” (“7 Top Pros and Cons of Juveniles Being Tried As Adults”).
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.
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.
In my opinion, I think that juveniles should be prosecuted as adults depending on the type of criminal offense that he or she commits. If a juvenile commit petty crimes such as petty theft, disorderly conduct, vandalism, etc. then I think that they should be tried in juvenile court. However, if a juvenile commit any of the seven deadly sin in criminal justice then they should be prosecuted as an adult. The seven deadly sin include: Murder, rape, armed robbery, kidnapping, aggravated battery, aggravated sodomy, and aggravated child molestation.
What does the age of a criminal have to do with the heinous crime they have committed? While it is understandable to treat a child who has not yet fully grasped the sense of what is ethically right or wrong with a less severe punishment than someone who is matured to a point of being aware of their actions. Teens and even those who are mature enough to see that the crimes they are doing are wrong, but regardless still go through with such an act should not be shown mercy for a crimes that are as serious as intentionally hurting someone or even in the most serious cases murder. The age of a criminal should not be the main or only factor when deciding to let someone who is under the age of 18 off easy on their actions. It should almost always
The consequences may affect the minors negatively. Minors have a higher chance of rehabilitation if they are tried through juvenile court so that they can become better members of civilization. Despite that, some people think that minors may not learn their lesson if they are put through juvenile court, but minors should not be treated the same as adults. Minors should be treated for their age, not their crime so that they have the opportunity to change and become a better member of
60% of juveniles get convicted are tried as adults with life in prison without parole and without trial. The article “Kids are Kids Until they Commit Crimes” by Lundstrom states that kids will always be kids which means that they can't drive, drink, smoke, etc but as soon as they commit a crime most of them are tried as adults and most of the kids are on there first offence and that too many people is not right if they can't do half of the things adults can do they why do the sentence them as adults. Most kids don't know right from wrong, so why treat them as adults if they're just kids. Kids do lots of bad and stupid thing and mainly because they're not old enough to understand. Therefore you shouldn't have to punish kid as if they’re adult it not right.
If the situation calls for it, juveniles should be able to sentenced life in prison and if decided so shall be left no sympathy because they are kids. Although we all make mistakes.