Crime

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Adult Crime, Adult Time ||

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Introduction

Throughout the years, we have heard of children committing heinous crimes and practically getting away with it. An ongoing debate remains in many states as to whether juveniles should be tried as adults or not. Some believe that a juvenile should be tried as an adult if they have committed an adult crime while others believe that they are not fully capable of carrying out rational decision making. In this case, it is important to realize that crime rates are high as is in most countries and in the United States particularly, what would happen if we allowed children to get away with murder, robberies and drug dealing? There are enough adult criminals who get away with these types of crimes so it does not seem beneficial to individuals and the nation as a whole to allow even minors to get away with these crimes or get a lesser sentence solely because of the age group they belong to.

The juvenile court system is relatively new, as it was established in the United States in 1899, only about two hundred years ago. This system was developed as states began to realize the difference between children and adults that commit crime, in that children are less blameworthy and have a greater ability to change. This separate court system allowed them to have a trial and delivery process that is much different than that provided to adults. Juvenile court system is also different from adult proceedings because the court records are confidential and often closed to members of the public in hopes of protecting children from carrying the burdens of their criminal activity into adulthood. Although this seemed like it would be an ideal plan for rehabilitation for children who were prone to commit crime, or did commit crime, the juvenile court process raised many red flags. Their technique of intervention and diversion away from adult courts and prisons was questioned as judges' decisions and recommendations in...