Juveniles Be Tried As Adults: Research Paper

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Consequently, these differences in mental abilities necessitate the fact that children or juvenile offenders should be tried separately from their adult counterparts because of their mental abilities. Those in opposition to the juvenile justice system and proponents of the eradication of the juvenile courts argue that a crime is a crime regardless of who commits it and that there should be a single justice system to try both juveniles and adults. However, this argument is not only chaotic but also faulty since it has been proven that children between the age of nine and ten years have a very different mental ability to that of adults. It is therefore impossible for children within this age to plan and carry out a crime and even understand its consequences (Borkar par, 4).

Consequences of Transfers:

An examination of the recent cases of transfer of juvenile offenders to the adult criminal justice system is a clear indicator of the necessity of trying juveniles differently and separately from adults. In most cases, juvenile offenders do not develop into adult criminals unless they are tried and punished as adults. Those in opposition to the juvenile justice system argue that punishing juvenile offenders in the adult criminal justice system is geared towards deterring these offenders and the next generation from criminal activities. However, the argument is false since recent research has proven that juveniles who are tried as adults commit more crimes upon their release. These offenders carry an enduring and potentially devastating stigma that makes them to commit more crime (Maroney par, 6). Therefore juveniles should not be tried as adults because it has been proven that increased transfers have never lessened juvenile crime.

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Purpose of Juvenile Justice System:

Given that young offenders have a higher potential for change, juvenile justice system has been established in order to provide guidance and treatment rather than punish. When these offenders are given the necessary guidance and treatment, the rate of juvenile crime reduces as compared to when they are tried in the adult criminal justice system. On the contrary, some people argue that this system is established on false grounds because its purpose is to protect juveniles from the consequences of their criminal acts. However, this is false since the purpose of the juvenile justice system is established on sound premises because children can't be tried on the same accountability standards as adults because of their maturity level and mental abilities.

Conclusion:

Juvenile justice system has been established for the main purpose of providing guidance and treatment to juveniles rather than punishing them. Since its inception, the system has continued to serve its purpose effectively by helping to reduce juvenile crimes. The recent rise in the rate of juvenile delinquency has resulted in calls for the eradication of the system and its courts. These calls for abolishing the juvenile justice system have also been accompanied by proposals for juveniles to be tried in the adults' criminal justice system. However, due to several reasons that have been proven over time, juveniles should not be tried as adults. These reasons include the difference in mental abilities of children and adults, the consequences of transfers and the purpose of the juvenile justice system. Therefore, juveniles should not be tried as adults mainly because of their psychological differences and potential for change.

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