Any society would put much concern on how they treat young people in terms of bestowing them an appropriate punishment when they commit crimes and misdemeanors. When the perpetrator is a minor, a question arises whether to treat underage offenders, particularly those who commit more serious crimes like murder, in the same way how adult offenders are tried in courts. We are all aware of the existence of social standards concerning the status of children and adolescents, as well as the nature of punishment and justice. In considering how to treat juvenile offenders, will the prosecution of minors in adult courts be fair enough or trying them as adults would have a negative effect on juveniles who comprise 25 percent of the U.S. population?
The latest statistics from National Center for Juvenile Justice revealed that “law enforcement agencies reported 2.2 million arrests of persons under age 18” in 2004 (Snyder, 2006). The report also indicated that “almost half of all juvenile arrests… were larceny-theft, simple assault, a drug abuse violation, disorderly conduct, or a liquor law violation”. Indeed, there is no doubt that the number of juveniles involved in crimes had been constantly increasing in the recent years. Despite early attempts to prevent juvenile crime with a distinct juvenile justice system geared toward rehabilitating juvenile offenders rather than punishing them, juveniles continue to commit sometimes serious offenses. In recent years, the public has become more concerned with the seriousness of the offenses and have called on politicians to react, which they have done by passing more severe and harsh punishments for juvenile offenders.
In an article entitled “The Juvenile Justice System Is Too Lenient on Violent Offenders”, Linda Collier (2005) informed that young offenders commit violent acts at increasingly young ages, and statistics show the numbers rising at alarming rates – “a 60 percent increase in crimes committed by juveniles since 1964”. Collier (2005) deemed that for this reason the antiquated juvenile justice system needs reform. Historically, the juvenile justice system was intended to protect children from society and save children gone astray. Today, it continues to operate under the principle of what is best for the child. According to Collier (2005), this system has transformed to become inappropriate for violent children who commit adult crimes. Lowering the age at which juveniles can be prosecuted as adults is a step in the right direction, but the practice should be automatic and nationwide.
However, Gorski (2001) counteracted the idea to try juvenile delinquents in adult court because it is “immoral and unethical”. He thought that the “practice violates international treaties” and “subjects youth to cruelty in prison, often resulting in severe emotional damage, permanent psychiatric symptoms, and suicide attempts”. As historical and scientific evidences are available to prove that youth offenders can be rehabilitated, Gorski (2001) suggested that the juvenile justice system should be “built around that principle” because we need to recognize the “developmental immaturity in youth and the moral obligation to give kids a second chance”. Gorski (2001) shivered at the fact that a human rights group Amnesty International criticized the “United States is the only Western democracy that sends youthful offenders to adult court and sentences them to adult prisons”. In jailing the youthful offenders in adult prisons, this validates the violation of United States to several international treaties prohibit “cruel and inhumane treatment of children and adolescents”.
No doubt, the issue of juvenile justice is not as simple as trying them as adults because of the harshness they will experience with it. On the other hand, giving juvenile delinquents lesser punishments would also not be recommended because they will just neglect their responsibility for their crimes. What should be done is that to make tougher policies for juvenile courts and formulate better and improved rehabilitation programs to assist our youths to lead more productive lives. These youths deserve another chance in life than being incarcerated because of their lapse in judgment. The program for rehabilitation should focus in treating juvenile delinquency and prevention programs should be instigated to provide youths what they truly deserve – skills, education and another chance of pursuing the right path in life.
Works Cited
Collier, Linda J. “The Juvenile Justice System Is Too Lenient on Violent Offenders”. In J. Layzell (ed.), Should Juveniles Be Tried as Adults? San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2005.
Gorski, Terence T. “Trying Juveniles as Adults Is Immoral.” In Judy Layzell (Ed.), At Issue: Should Juveniles Be Tried as Adults? San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2005.
Snyder, Howard M. Juvenile Arrests 2004. Juvenile Justice Bulletin, Web.