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Should Juveniles Be Charged As Adults

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When found guilty of a crime, should juveniles be charged as adults?
Minors are often charged as adults for serious offenses such as murder, and robbery, but this practice has come under scrutiny in recent years. Some experts argue that minors should not be charged as adults because their brains are not fully developed, and they lack the emotional maturity to understand the consequences of their actions. Furthermore, minors who are charged as adults often face harsher sentences than their adult counterparts, which can have a lasting impact on their lives. In this essay, I will discuss why minors should not be charged as adults when guilty of a crime, with quotes from real-world sources.

One of the main arguments against charging minors as adults is that their brains are not fully developed, and they lack the emotional maturity to understand the consequences of their actions. According to Dr. Laurence Steinberg, a psychology professor at Temple University, "The parts of the brain that are responsible for impulse control and decision-making are not fully developed until people are in their mid-20s." This means that minors may not fully understand the impact of their actions, and may not be able to make sound judgments in the heat of the moment. …show more content…

According to the Campaign for Youth Justice, "Juveniles who are tried as adults often receive much longer sentences than if they were tried in juvenile court." This can have a devastating impact on their lives, as they may be incarcerated for years or even decades. Additionally, minors who are charged as adults may be housed in adult prisons, which can put them at risk of physical

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