Adult Crime, Adult Time
Adult Crime, Adult Time by Linda Collier appeared in Washington Post on March 29, 1998. In this article Collier explains the growing issue of improper sentencing in the Juvenile Criminal Justice System. Collier, a Pennsylvania lawyer who has worked in the juvenile courts feels as if since the crimes committed by juveniles has increased 60% since 1984 it needs to be revamped to appropriately punish perpetrators because juveniles have become more likely to commit serious deadly crimes. Though Collier is correct when stating a revamp is needed, her views are too harsh to support the facts and scenarios she’s given.
According to “Understanding the Teen Brain” an article found in The University of Rochester’s Health Encyclopedia …show more content…
Judge Thomas was asked “Why should we treat a 14 year old differently than a 24 year old offender?” His answer was it depends on many, many circumstances. But very generally, the 14-year-old does not have the level of maturity, thought process, decision-making, experience, or wisdom that a 24-year-old presumably has. Secondly, a 14-year-old is still growing, may not appreciate the consequences of that type of behavior, and is susceptible to change, at least to a higher degree than a 24-year-old is. . . . I think we have a real shot at trying to straighten out the 14-year-old, and even the people who are a little bit hard-nosed in the system, such as your average prosecutor, will sometimes grudgingly admit that, with a 14-year-old, given the proper level of accountability and the proper types of programs to change their behavior, we have a chance at salvaging these kids. But with a 24-year-old, I think the whole consensus of opinion is, "You've had your chance, you're now an adult, you've made a bad decision, you've hurt somebody, you've done it. Now you pay the price.” (Martin and Tobias) Judge Thomas is pro rehabilitation for juvenile offenders meaning he believes that although the crimes committed by juveniles may be heinous their lives can be turned around without drastic measures or jail time. Collier’s whole argument is based on the principle that juveniles should be held 100% responsible for their actions and that the system can’t save all offenders. When in reality maybe the system needs to be revamped to handle offenders that aren’t responsible for minor crimes but for those who have lost their way and need extra guidance. If the system could rehabilitate juveniles better would that lessen their chance of committing serious adult
Adult Crime, Adult Time by Linda Collier appeared in Washington Post on March 29, 1998. In this article Collier explains the growing issue of improper sentencing in the Juvenile Criminal Justice System. Collier, a Pennsylvania lawyer who has worked in the juvenile courts feels as if since the crimes committed by juveniles has increased 60% since 1984 it needs to be revamped to appropriately punish perpetrators because juveniles have become more likely to commit serious deadly crimes. Though Collier is correct when stating a revamp is needed, her views are too harsh to support the facts and scenarios she’s given.
According to “Understanding the Teen Brain” an article found in The University of Rochester’s Health Encyclopedia …show more content…
Judge Thomas was asked “Why should we treat a 14 year old differently than a 24 year old offender?” His answer was it depends on many, many circumstances. But very generally, the 14-year-old does not have the level of maturity, thought process, decision-making, experience, or wisdom that a 24-year-old presumably has. Secondly, a 14-year-old is still growing, may not appreciate the consequences of that type of behavior, and is susceptible to change, at least to a higher degree than a 24-year-old is. . . . I think we have a real shot at trying to straighten out the 14-year-old, and even the people who are a little bit hard-nosed in the system, such as your average prosecutor, will sometimes grudgingly admit that, with a 14-year-old, given the proper level of accountability and the proper types of programs to change their behavior, we have a chance at salvaging these kids. But with a 24-year-old, I think the whole consensus of opinion is, "You've had your chance, you're now an adult, you've made a bad decision, you've hurt somebody, you've done it. Now you pay the price.” (Martin and Tobias) Judge Thomas is pro rehabilitation for juvenile offenders meaning he believes that although the crimes committed by juveniles may be heinous their lives can be turned around without drastic measures or jail time. Collier’s whole argument is based on the principle that juveniles should be held 100% responsible for their actions and that the system can’t save all offenders. When in reality maybe the system needs to be revamped to handle offenders that aren’t responsible for minor crimes but for those who have lost their way and need extra guidance. If the system could rehabilitate juveniles better would that lessen their chance of committing serious adult