Juvenile Crime and punishment
Juvenile Crime and Punishment
A controversial topic is whether or not juvenile offenders should be tried as adults. Before answering this question, people should consider some underlying facts beforehand. The nature of the crime should be considered as well as if juveniles are mentally mature enough to understand the repercussions of their crime. Depending on the crimes, whether violent or non-violent the sentence should fit the crime regardless of the age of the perpetrator. If tried and convicted as adults, for a serious enough offense, they should serve their sentences in an adult facility with no special accommodations.
Over the decades there have been numerous studies to determine what might cause some juveniles to become offenders. A study by Flowers and Flowers found that children who had been violently abused represent a high percentage of child killers and other violent offenders (Flowers 127). Another study by numerous researchers shows that most juvenile prostitutes are particularly likely to have been victims of sexual abuse or molestation (Flowers 128). Although some of these studies are older at the time of this publication they show some promising results as to what may cause some juveniles to become offenders. Circumstances such as the above mentioned are ones where the offenders should be able to get help for their obvious mental afflictions.
Some might argue that juveniles commit less serious crimes although statistics would prove otherwise. In 1998 violent crimes committed by juveniles was at a thirty year low (Office of Juvenile and Delinquency Prevention). That is not a true statistic though because fewer than half the violent crimes committed by juveniles were reported to law enforcement (National Crime Victimization Survey). In 1999 although not violent, juveniles were responsible for 54% of all arson arrests 42% of all vandalism arrests 31% of larceny-theft arrests and 33% of burglary arrests (Juvenile
A controversial topic is whether or not juvenile offenders should be tried as adults. Before answering this question, people should consider some underlying facts beforehand. The nature of the crime should be considered as well as if juveniles are mentally mature enough to understand the repercussions of their crime. Depending on the crimes, whether violent or non-violent the sentence should fit the crime regardless of the age of the perpetrator. If tried and convicted as adults, for a serious enough offense, they should serve their sentences in an adult facility with no special accommodations.
Over the decades there have been numerous studies to determine what might cause some juveniles to become offenders. A study by Flowers and Flowers found that children who had been violently abused represent a high percentage of child killers and other violent offenders (Flowers 127). Another study by numerous researchers shows that most juvenile prostitutes are particularly likely to have been victims of sexual abuse or molestation (Flowers 128). Although some of these studies are older at the time of this publication they show some promising results as to what may cause some juveniles to become offenders. Circumstances such as the above mentioned are ones where the offenders should be able to get help for their obvious mental afflictions.
Some might argue that juveniles commit less serious crimes although statistics would prove otherwise. In 1998 violent crimes committed by juveniles was at a thirty year low (Office of Juvenile and Delinquency Prevention). That is not a true statistic though because fewer than half the violent crimes committed by juveniles were reported to law enforcement (National Crime Victimization Survey). In 1999 although not violent, juveniles were responsible for 54% of all arson arrests 42% of all vandalism arrests 31% of larceny-theft arrests and 33% of burglary arrests (Juvenile
Cited: Flowers, R. Barri. "11." Kids Who Commit Adult Crimes: Serious Criminality by Juvenile Offenders. New York: Haworth, 2002. 127. Print. Fritz Eric J, Tory J. Caeti, and Craig Hemmens, “Spare the Needle But Not the Punnishment: the Incarceration of Waived Youth in Texas Prisons,” Crime and Delinquency, vol. 42 (1996), p 593 . “Juvenile Justice.” Frontline. PBS, 2013. Web. 20 Feb. 2013. Office of Juvenile and Delinquency Prevention, press release, November 1999. National Crime Victimization Survey, cited in Juvenile Offenders and Victims: 1999 National Report