Should Juveniles Be Tried as Adults?
Much controversy exists on the question of whether a juvenile criminal should be punished to the same extent as an adult. Those who commit capitol crimes, including adolescents, should be penalized according to the law. Age should not be a factor in the case of serious crimes. Many people claim that the child did not know any better, or that he was brought up with the conception that this behavior is acceptable. Although there is some truth to these allegations, the reality of this social issue is far more complex. Therefore we ask the question, Should childhood offenders of capitols crimes be treated as adults? To begin with, numerous reasons for why a child acts in the manner he exhibits and why he continues to exert such dangerous and even fatal schemes. Recent research shows that factors ranging from inherited personality traits to chemical imbalances and damages suffered in the womb can increase the odds that a child will become violent (Johnson 234). Experts argue that no one is predestined to a life of crime. They believe that influences such as repeated abuse, extreme neglect, poverty, media violence, and easy access to guns play the major role in molding children into criminals. The father of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer wonders, "If potential for evil is in the blood that some of us pass on to our children" (Wartik 23). In the quiet New York town of Savona, Eric Smith, age thirteen, intercepted four year old Derrick Robie on his way to a park recreation program and offered to show him a shortcut. Hesitatingly, Derrick set off with Eric. He never made it to the park. That same day the little boy's savagely beaten body was discovered outside the park area (Wartik 98).
Jon Venables and Robert Thompson of Liverpool, England, made international headlines in November of 1994, when they were convicted of murdering James Bulger, age two. The two boys, both ten at the time of the slaying, lured James away from his mother in a shopping mall, took him to a
Jon Venables and Robert Thompson of Liverpool, England, made international headlines in November of 1994, when they were convicted of murdering James Bulger, age two. The two boys, both ten at the time of the slaying, lured James away from his mother in a shopping mall, took him to a
Cited: Bennette, Georgette. Crime Warps: The future of Crime in America. Garden City, NY: Anchor, 1987 Carmenati, Marlene "Youth and Crime: Is the young offenders working?" Law Now June/July 21-26. Hyde, Margaret O. "Juvenile justice and Injustice" New York, New York Margaret O. Hyde, 1977. Robinson, Lori S, and Jimmie Briggs "Kids and Vilence" Emerge November. 1993:44+ Strouse, Jean Wiener, Valerie Winning the war against youth gangs: A guide for teens, families, and communities. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press, 1999. Wilson, James Q. Crime and Human Nature. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1985.