The Issue Of Adult Courts And Prisons - 1632 Words

As the world advances, so do the expectations for teens to not only do well, but also excel in both academics and life. However, teens are constantly pressured to perform at even higher standards, in hopes that they might guarantee a spot in the workforce. Because of this, it is no wonder that the well being of teens’ mental health has become an issue in which suicides now account for a third of teen deaths. These children need help, which only society can provide; yet instead of heeding their cries for help, society subjects these children to the hardships of prisons. The sad truth is that the majority of juvenile cases are sent to adult courts and prisons, but we must consider the mental capacity and stability, along with external†¦show more content†¦In addition, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention has reported that there are now even younger children who are tried as adults. In their report, they specify that in most states children as young as 13 or 14 years old are tried as adults for their crimes. Not to mention, in Kansas and Vermont, children as young as 10 years old are and can be tried as adults (OJJDP). This means even though they are children, they can receive a life sentence without even a chance of parole. How can these children own up to their mistakes by spending the rest of their lives locked up? How are they expected to even comprehend the consequences of their mistakes? Even worse, it was not until 2005 that the Supreme Court banned the execution of juveniles ruling that â€Å"death by execution is unconstitutional for juveniles† (Justices Abolish Death Penalty for Juveniles). Simply, for over two hundred years in the existence of the United States, it was constitutional to execute children. Since the birth of the United States there have been over three hundred and sixty five children executed for their crimes (â€Å"Death in Prison Sentences for Children†). It is not right that a childâ⠂¬â„¢s future can be taken away because of one’s own mistake at such a young age. As a nation, we need to care for the young and help them integrate into society because their future is our future. Placing youths into adult prison can haveShow MoreRelatedJuvenile Crimes Face Harsh Punishments899 Words   |  4 Pagesjudicial system prosecutes juveniles. Although there is a juvenile court system in place to try youth offenders, the way it is being implemented is different between each state. In addition, some states even go further and try youth offenders, depending on the crime they committed, in an adult criminal court. In recent years, juvenile crimes face harsh punishments in the US, and the number of juvenile offenders sent to youth courts is decreasing, based on the data (â€Å"The Sentencing Project – JuvenileRead MoreThe Constitutionality Of The Juvenile Justice System1634 Words   |  7 PagesThe juvenile justice system has grown and changed substantially since 1899, when the nation’s first juvenile court was established in Illinois. Originally, the court process was informal often nothing more than a conversation between the youth and the judge and the defendant lacked legal representation. To replace confinement in jails with adults, the early juvenile courts created a probation system and used a separate service delivery system to provide minors with supervision, guidance, and educationRead MoreThe Effects Of Charging Juveniles Of Adults1689 Words   |  7 Pagesconvicted of felony murder and thus sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole. Now why was this sentence so controversial? Because Lionel Tate was only twelve years old at the time of the murder. How do we determine mental competence of someone whose brain is still developing? How could someone who has not even finished puberty possibly understand the sever implications of such a brutal crime? How can we possibly try a juvenile as an adult when juveniles are proven to have diminished impulseRead MoreJuvenile Rehabilitation: Adult Prison vs. Juvenile Incarceration1703 Words   |  7 PagesJuvenile Rehabilitation: Adult Prisons vs. Juvenile Incarceration Maureen Fries-Labra English 122 Anna Hopson December 14, 2009 Juvenile Rehabilitation: Adult Prisons vs. Juvenile Incarceration The criminal justice system has a branch for juvenile offenders. Established in the early twentieth century; it is the responsibility of this division to decide the fates of youthful offenders. This is administered by family court with support of social workers and family. With the increased numberRead MoreCriminal Justice And The Juvenile Justice System1689 Words   |  7 Pagesand more throughout history by changing something as simple as law enforcement officer’s purpose and who they are taking orders from. The objective of this analysis is to break down these three criminal justice subjects: the juvenile justice system, prison life and the different policing eras. Juveniles has an extensive background of violent crimes throughout history. Ever since the 1990s crime rates for youth has decreased in some way compared to the late 18th century and early 19th century. TheseRead MoreEssay on Should Juveniles be Tried as Adults1503 Words   |  7 PagesHolden 5 Should Juveniles be Tried as Adults? Juveniles deserve to be tried the same as adults when they commit certain crimes. The justice systems of America are becoming completely unjust and easy to break through. Juvenile courts haven’t always been known to the everyday person. The Illinois Juvenile Court Act of 1899 was the first juvenile court established in the United States (Locked Up†¦). The juvenile court was created to handle the offenders on the basis on their rather than their crimeRead MoreJuvenile Crime Law Is A Subcategory Of Juvenile Law937 Words   |  4 Pagesjuvenile crime law only deals with under-age individuals, who are treated very differently than adults in criminal law, and usually have their own courts of law (Juvenile Criminal Law, n.d.). When it comes to crime, kids usually go through a different process than adults. But they still have to face consequences (Juvenile Crimes Juvenile Justice - Nolo.com, n.d.). Juvenile Criminal Law is a relevant issue in today’s juvenile criminal Justice system. A growing number of states are re-examining andRead MoreJuveniles And The Juvenile Justice System1559 Words   |  7 PagesJuveniles committing crimes is not a new issued being introduced to society; actually, it has been an issue for centuries. However, the big question is, should juveniles be tried in adult courts? Before answering, take into consideration every possible scenario that could have led them to commit the crime. For instance, were they the leader in the act? Did they participate in the crime? Was the juvenile even aware of what was taking place? Were they peer pressured? Did they have any other choiceRead MoreJuvenile Prison Is the Best Way of Reforming Essay1342 Words   |  6 PagesThe Juvenile System has been around for a long time. The primary reason behind separating Juvenile from adult criminals is quite simple; the judicial system believes that the children are less culpable for their irresponsive behavior and they could easily be reformed as compared to adult offenders. The crucial role of the judicial system is to critically investigate, diagnose, and recommend treatments for the Juveniles rather than accrediting them. However, because of the increasing number of juvenileRead MoreEssay on Juveniles in Adult Prisons1612 Words   |  7 PagesJuveniles in Adult Prisons A deep look into juveniles in adult prisons. Touch bases on several smaller issues that contribute to juveniles being in and effects of adult prisons. The United States Bureau of Prisons handles two hundred and thirty-nine juveniles and their average age is seventeen. Execution of juveniles, The United States is one of only six countries to execute juveniles. There are sixty-eight juveniles sitting on death row for crimes committed as juveniles. Forty-three of