Prosecuting Juveniles As Adults in The Criminal Justice...

The word most frequently used to describe the growth in the rate of violent crime among children 17 years old and younger is epidemic. The alarming rate at which children are committing crimes has increased the amount of questions on what should be done with these juveniles. The National Center for Juvenile Justice states how â€Å"Every state but Hawaii now allows juveniles to be tried as adults for certain crimes,† so why are people struggling with laws allowing young offenders to be tried as adults? (Juvenile Justice) They are children, and the lack of maturity and brain development can produce risky, impulsive behavior, and should be treated rather than persecuted and written off. In the law, a juvenile is defined as a person who is†¦show more content†¦The juvenile court’s responses to crimes are generally more lenient than the adult court response. Juvenile court proceedings are held in private, whereas adult court proceedings are public affairs. Als o, the offense committed and the punishment is the focus of adult courts, whereas juvenile courts focus on the child, and helping them through rehabilitation, supervision, and treatment (Allen). Harry Allen describes in his book how, â€Å"Adult courts may deprive adults of their liberty only for the violation of criminal laws, and juvenile courts are empowered to control and confine juveniles based on a broad range of behavior and circumstances† (Allen). One issue is determining whether children have the capacity to commit such gruesome crimes. How does a child even know how to murder someone, or rape a person? Many children show early signs of being capable of committing future violent crimes. However the American Psychology Association reports that â€Å"†¦the part of the brain that is responsible for good judgment and the control of impulses—the pre-frontal cortex—is still immature; consequently, children of this age-period, don’t have yet the capacity to fully control their impulses† (Goldman). In adolescence, the brain still has much capacity for growth, and may indicate that troubled teenagers can still learn restraint, judgment, and empathy (Glueck). Adolescence is a time of great change in the brain.Show MoreRelatedProsecuting Juveniles In Adult Court1510 Words   |  7 Pagesï » ¿ Prosecuting Juveniles in Adult Court Kimberly Washington Introduction to Statistics for Criminal Justice Ayana Conway, Ph.D., Assistant Professor September 30, 2013 Abstract This research paper will examine whether or not juveniles that commit violent crimes should be tried as an adult. Through research, I will establish an argument that children who commit the crimes of an adult should be punished as an adult. Data based on experience and observation detailing the number ofRead MoreTrying Juveniles as Adults Essay1312 Words   |  6 PagesAccording to Caldwell (1961) the juvenile justice system is based on the principle that youth are developmentally and fundamentally different from adults. According to Mack (1909) the focus of the juvenile justice system has shifted from â€Å"was the crime committed† to â€Å"why did the child commit the crime†, â€Å"how can we help the child†. When performing as it is designed and up to the initial intentions, the juvenile court balances rehabilitation (treatment) of the offender with suitable sanctions whenRead MoreWhat Are Five Major Court Cases That Influenced Our Treatment Of Juveniles T oday?1203 Words   |  5 PagesAssignment 4.1 – Juvenile Court Process What are five major court cases that influenced our treatment of juveniles today? For each case, briefly state how the case has made an impact. Five major court cases that influenced our treatment of juveniles today include Kent v. United States (1966), In re Gault (1967), In re Winship (1970), McKeiver v. Pennsylvania (1971) and Breen v. Jones (1975). Kent v. United States (1966) set the standards for transfers. In this case, the judge ruled Kent to adult court withoutRead MoreJuvenile Rehabilitation: Adult Prison vs. Juvenile Incarceration1703 Words   |  7 PagesJuvenile Rehabilitation: Adult Prisons vs. Juvenile Incarceration Maureen Fries-Labra English 122 Anna Hopson December 14, 2009 Juvenile Rehabilitation: Adult Prisons vs. Juvenile Incarceration The criminal justice system has a branch for juvenile offenders. Established in the early twentieth century; it is the responsibility of this division to decide the fates of youthful offenders. This is administered by family court with support of social workers and family. With the increased numberRead MoreThe Issue Of Adult Courts And Prisons1632 Words   |  7 Pagesyet instead of heeding their cries for help, society subjects these children to the hardships of prisons. The sad truth is that the majority of juvenile cases are sent to adult courts and prisons, but we must consider the mental capacity and stability, along with external factors that make juveniles act out, and the only time the case should be sent to adult courts and prisons, is if heinous acts were taken and no other solution is possible. Children make mistakes. That is the whole point of beingRead MoreThe Cost of Culpability: The Significance of Numbers Inside the Criminal Justice System (Age and Economics)1244 Words   |  5 Pages Both juveniles and mentally ill adult offenders fell under the above category, it was possible that one could be found not liable due to their age and mental status’ and win a victory in court that could be categorized as legal injustice. Throughout this paper, inconclusive evidence was found that suggested legal definitions were basically written the same but were interpreted differently by various courts. The only noticeable shifts were found in the application of these terms inside the criminalRead MoreJuveniles Should Never Be Charged As Adults894 Words   |  4 PagesJuveniles should NEVER be charged as Adults The criminal court system is the system of law enforcement that is directly involved in apprehending, prosecuting, defending, sentencing, and punishing those who are suspected or convicted of criminal offenses. While the juvenile court system, is used to address and deal with youth, who are caught and/or convicted of crimes. The juvenile court system was established in the United States about two hundred years ago, with the first court appearing in IllinoisRead MoreShould The Texas Criminal Justice System Be Legal?1375 Words   |  6 Pagesalways been known to have a strict criminal justice system. The justice system in Texas used to hang criminals for serious crimes they were convicted of doing. Texas has never been faced with the question we face them with today. Should the Texas criminal justice system be able to charge juveniles as adults in trials when faced with serious charges? Prosecutors are using both sides of this argument to their advantage. In Texas, the Juvenile Law states that, â€Å"a juvenile is defined as a person who is notRead MoreRights of Juveniles1267 Words   |  6 PagesDescribe the Legal rights juveniles have today To protect juveniles from self-incrimination, provisions were made to have the Miranda rights available before being questioned by the police. A 1979 us supreme court ruling found that juveniles should have a waiver and be old enough to understand the consequences of waiving their rights. The Miranda rights also protects juveniles against the unlawful search of their personal property, unless it is to maintain order and safety among other studentsRead MoreJuvenile Injustice : The Effectiveness Of The Juvenile Justice System Within America1888 Words   |  8 Pages Juvenile Injustice: The Effectiveness of the Juvenile Justice System Within America T’nea Boyd John Jay College of Criminal Justice  Abstract This paper examines the effectiveness of the American justice system surrounding juvenile offenders not yet responsible for their punishable acts. Although the purpose of the juvenile justice system is the rehabilitate and deter juvenile offenders from breaking laws, evidence suggests the justice system is ineffective and unjust. The sentencing of juveniles