For the past years there has been a debate on whether juveniles should be tried as life without parole or life with parole. In my opinion juveniles who commit first or second degree murder should not receive a mandatory sentence to life without parole. Although the juveniles are underage they are well informed of what’s right and what’s wrong, but some of them have difficulty understanding of what they are doing at the moment of the crime because they are angry and act before thinking clearly. I agree with the majority of supreme court justices who believe that mandatory life sentences are unconstitutional, unfair and inhumane because juveniles are immature, their brain is not completely developed, and they are unaware of long term impact
The Supreme Court prohibits juveniles to be executed if they are under the age of 18 when they commit a crime. The Supreme Court uses the cases of Thompson v Oklahoma and Stanford v Kentucky to support the issue that it is immoral and inhumane to give the death penalty to juveniles. Atkins v Virginia allows the Court to look at the evolution of the standard of decency on the issue of juveniles of the death penalty and what kind of people are excluded from receiving the death sentences. Juveniles also should not be given the death penalty because the neural connections and functioning for tasks such as decision-making, judgment, and impulse control in the brain has not yet fully developed and therefore, juveniles commit certain acts and are less aware of the
The article “ Juveniles deserve life sentence” by Gail Garinger is more affective than Jennifer Jenkins argument, for the reason that Ms. Garinger is a juvenile court judge who has withness many cases than jenkins. For that reason it make her a credible source to her own argument. Ms. Garinger and Ms. Jenkins do have some of the same features in their arguments. Even though both articles have different perspective of the topic. Garinger article states that “ As a former juvenile court judge , I have seen first hand…..”
On June 25, 2012, the Supreme court ruled that juveniles who committed murder could not be sentenced for to life in prison. Their reasoning was that it violated the 8th Amendment, that stated the ban of cruel and unusual punishment. However, that is not the only reason to have juveniles not be sentenced for life. I agree with the supreme court’s decision because juveniles who commit crime can be coming from an unhealthy background, their brain is not fully developed, and their characters are still in formation. Greg Ousley murdered his parents on February 27, 1993 with a rifle gun that he was found in his house.
According to “Kids in Prison” by Brian Hansen, juveniles are being tried as adults for violent and non-violent crimes. Kids being tried as adult is the most controversial topic the world cannot agree on today. It is hard to pick one side due to every case being a different situation, but I think I have established a well-thought opinion. Children should not be tried as adults due to their level of cognitive capability, proneness to harm in adult prisons, and their inability to be rehabilitated in a harmful environment. First, a child’s cognitive thinking is at a different level than an adult’s, so a child does not have the means to survive in an adult prison.
"Juvenile Life Without Parole." Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly, 30 Jan. 2009, www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/2009/01/30/january-30-2009-juvenile-life-without-parole/2081/. This reference sheds light on the issue of juvenile life without parole, which is a controversial topic in the criminal justice system. The article discusses Young who was sentenced to life without parole and explores the ethical and moral implications of such a sentence. Farrell, Susan. "
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.
Crimes are happening around us whether we pay attention to them or not. Those crimes as dangerous as murder are committed by all ages but should younger criminal in their juvenile age received the same punishment as older criminals. On June 25, 2012, the Supreme Court ruled that juveniles committed murder could not be sentenced to life in prison because it violates the Eighth Amendment.(On-Demand Writing Assignment Juvenile Justice) Advocates on the concurring side believes that mandatory life in prison is wrong and should be abolish. However, the dissenting side believe that keeping the there should be a life in prison punishment for juvenile who commit heinous crime regardless of their age.
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).
This was used as a precedent. Any minor that has committed a crime should still have their rights. An adult knows exactly what they are getting into. That is why when it comes to homicide of an adult this precedent does not apply the same way. The court’s decision decided that it is a cruel and unusual punishment that forbids the mandatory sentencing of life in prison without the possibility of parole for juvenile homicide offenders.
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.
The Death Penalty The world can be a dark, cruel place to live in , it seems like everyday a horrendous crime is committed like murder, kidnaping and rape. These crimes are enough proof that there is enough evil in the world. It is necessary that society has the death penalty to prevent the possibility of recurrence. If murderers are sentenced to death and executed, potential murderers will think twice before killing for fear of losing their own life. The death penalty should be allowed because it is important to show other criminals that it is not okay for their horrendous acts they are committing and that they should be punished for their actions.
Juveniles Justice Juveniles who are criminals being sentenced to life without parole can be shocking to some people. I believe if a juvenile is able to commit a crime, then they are able to do the time. The article “Startling finds on Teenage Brains” talks about how the brain can be different from the time you are teens to the time you are an adult. After, considering both sides on juvenile justice it is clear that juveniles should face life without parole because they did the crime so they can do the time. Also I believe the juvenile’s age should not influence the sentence and the punishment give.
The Death Penalty: Cruel and Unjust As Ronald Ryan fell to the ground on February 3, 1967, a flock of pigeons flew away in a scare (York). Everyone nearby knew this man’s life had been taken from him and never to be used again. This moment was the last of Australia’s executions. 50 years later, however, the United States of America still commits Capital Punishment, and regularly, too.
Anecdote Suddenly one Friday night, Javier started seeing a bunch of gangsters arriving to the party in which they were at too. They were entering one after another, and began fighting randomly as they walked in. One of the gangsters that had arrived was holding up a gun to Javier and Javier’s cousin panicked that he would be killed. So, Javier’s older cousin runs to the back of his car and takes out a gun and passes it to his friend, he grabbed it and killed the ruthless guy that was going to kill Javier.