Why We Should Be Tried As Juveniles In Juvenile Courts

Juvenile Justice In 1952, 78 juveniles nationwide committed murder. In 2008, 255 juveniles killed, which is an increase of over 300% (Mears). Society faces a dilemma—how to administer justice for an adult crime perpetrated by a very young person. Many hard- liners insist that if someone is old enough to murder, he is old enough to die or to serve an adult-length sentence. This approach may alleviate the fears of some; nonetheless, facts indicate that this approach is not in the true public interest. True, intelligent, research-based justice demands that juvenile murderers, even those who are sixteen, should be tried as juveniles in juvenile courts. The foremost reason for trying teenagers only in juvenile courts is that their capabilities …show more content…
This often results in excessive recidivism. A teenager who has made an impulsive, fateful mistake deserves more opportunity to make changes-- and has greater potential for change than a hardened, lifelong adult criminal. Studies in 2000 by social researcher Eric Jensen suggest that those juveniles “who were unfortunate enough to be sent to adult courts showed 18% more recidivism as compared to their juvenile-sentenced peers” (Jensen 47). Juvenile facilities have a greater emphasis on education for all, more support groups and counseling, more job training programs, and more success keeping young people from returning to prison later in life (“Kids in Prison: A Study”). Statistics and research provide a strong prescription for the juvenile system, and its use in these cases can improve society through rehabilitation of young offenders. Though it may emotionally satisfy some, punishing teenaged criminals in the same way their parents would be punished is not a wise or moral choice in society today. New knowledge about the brain coupled with research on recidivism in these cases points society away from this model, revealing it to be antiquated. Society needs a plan of action that works as these crimes increase, rather than an investment in an outdated …show more content…
The Teenaged Brain in Motion. New York: Harper, 2009. Print.
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