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Why We Shouldn T Juveniles Be Tried As Adults

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The debate on whether or not to try a child as an adult has been raging for many years. Today’s society needs to be cautious with the way they handle juvenile criminals. Our prison system is already busting at the seams with blood-thirsty criminals. Tossing a twelve year old in a prison system designed for adults is dangerous. A chance for rehabilitation should be afforded to every juvenile offender. However, not all juveniles can be rehabilitated and we owe it to the victims, and their families, to ensure that justice prevails. Juvenile offenders should not be prosecuted as adults, unless extenuating circumstances exist that prevents them from being rehabilitated. Many of those who are in favor of prosecuting juveniles as adults believe that the juvenile justice system is too relaxed. Therefore, they believe that juvenile offenders don’t recognize the seriousness of their crime. But should the punishment …show more content…

It shouldn’t be ruled out that a child who commits a violent crime may lack the mental capacity to understand what they did was wrong. Steinberg states, “A fair punishment to an adult is unfair when applied to a child who did not understand the consequences of his or her actions” (604). Moreover, the juvenile criminal may also lack the ability to understand his or her Miranda rights. These constitutional rights must be completely understood before any questioning of a crime, and before someone can stand trial. Typically, police cannot Mirandize a juvenile suspect because public law prohibits Mirandizing someone who lacks the mental ability to understand his or her rights. The juvenile justice system understands these hurdles. Therefore, the juvenile justice system evaluates each juvenile and determines his or her capacity of understanding. To try a child as an adult would take away the opportunity to determine whether or not the child had the mental capacity to understand their

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