Juveniles

Christian Espino

Ms. Ryan

English 4

April 9, 2014

Juvenile Justice: Should Juveniles be Prosecuted as Adults

Many people see children as our future, yet they facilitate adult sentences upon them. Mistakes are normal, however when one is enough to put you behind cold steel bars, should one be placed with dangerous adult criminals. In the articles I have read I’ve learned about juvenile delinquents and reasons they should and should not be prosecuted as adults. Punishment is needed, however they have not truly matured yet to be treated or tried as adults.

Juveniles do not yet have a fully developed brain which has been proven by studies. Due to their undeveloped brain their decision making is not up to par with adults. In the article “Juveniles Don’t Deserve Life Sentences,” by Gail Garinger claims, “Brain imaging studies reveal that the regions of the adolescent brain responsible for controlling thoughts, actions and emotions are not fully developed. This shows that brain development is a factor and should be taken into consideration when applying a sentence.

Juvenile delinquents are more vulnerable to negative internal and external influences, including peer pressure. This is important because an adolescent can easily be influenced whether, its gangs, violence at home, etc. Randy Hurtz says, “Unlike adults, they can’t control or escape dysfunctional homes and dangerous neighborhoods—two major contributing factors to youth crime.” in the article, “Why Life Without Parole Is Wrong for Juveniles.” (Hurtz That explains how an environment can mold someone into becoming a criminal and how it is difficult to escape from it.

Juveniles have not yet had a chance to experience life and if sentenced as an adult they will lose half of it. By this I mean most sentences against juveniles being treated as adults are to harsh. Many argue that if they killed someone they themselves didn’t give the victim a second chance. In the article, “Greg Ousley Is Sorry for...