Why Juveniles Should Be Tried in Adults’ Court? Essay

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Updated: Jan 12th, 2024

“Under state laws, juvenile offenders do not commit crime” and whenever such young people make an offence, it is considered as a delinquent act (Weijers and Duff 12). However, if any person over the age of 18 years commits the same crime, it is considered an offence that is tried in the adult’s court. In case a juvenile commits any crime, the court only hears the case and then makes a decision that is good for the child.

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This means that the particular child is rehabilitated and not punished (Shoemaker and Wolfe 11). Because of this, many people have debated whether juveniles should be held responsible for their actions and be punished rather than being rehabilitated. This paper will discuss reasons as to why juveniles should be tried in adults’ court. In a society where all members are familiar with all rules, justice should apply to all.

To punish one community member in a certain way and give another individual of the same society an alternative punishment for the same crime is not fair (Weijers and Duff 24). As such, juveniles who commit any serious crime should be dealt with in the same manner as a mature person who commits a similar crime.

One major reason why juveniles should be tried in the adults’ court is for purpose of justice. Any society should have an organized system of administering justice so that community members can continue enjoying democracy. In order to claim that justice has been administered in the society all individuals in the same society should be judged equally.

As such, it is right to argue that there is no justice if some people are punished while others are left scot free for a similar crime (Weijers and Duff 34). If a juvenile get away with a certain crime like rape, there is no justice to the victim or relatives. It is only fair that all rules apply to all members as along everyone knows the rules.

Secondly, juveniles should be tried in adults’ court to reduce and minimize crime in the society. Young people aged below 18 years already understand that if they commit a crime they will get a less severe punishment or get away with the crime (Stevens). Because of this, juveniles are more willing to commit crime (Shoemaker and Wolfe 17).

To reduce crime rates, all community members regardless of age should be punished in a similar manner for any crime committed. This way, juveniles will be cautious and reluctant to commit crime hence reducing crime and promoting social change.

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Thirdly, law should protect victims. Research has shown that the rate at which juveniles commit murder and rape has skyrocketed in past few years (Stevens). When a juvenile commits a crime such as murder, the effects are overwhelming in the society and the impact of such a crime is the same compared to a similar crime committed by an adult.

Once a crime like rape or murder happens, the damage is irreversible. Thus, if a juvenile is the offender in such a case, there should be no excuse and he should be treated as a criminal. The punishment should be severe to protect victim’s rights.

In conclusion, juveniles should be tried in adults’ court because the juvenile court is founded on false grounds whose objective is to protect young people from facing consequences of their actions. By refusing to try juveniles in adults’ court, the law fails to deter crime in the society. This is because juveniles also do commit serious crimes whose effects are overwhelming in the society. By punishing juveniles justice is achieved, victims are protected, and crime rate is reduced.

Works Cited

Shoe maker, Donald, and Timothy Wolfe. Juvenile Justice. A reference Handbook. Carlifornia: ABC-CLIO, 2005. Print.

Stevens, Alex. A Review of Good Practices in Preventing Juvenile Crime in the European Union. 2006. Web.

Weijers, Ido, and Antony Duff. Punishing Juveniles: Principles and Critique. Oxford: Hart, 2006. Print.

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IvyPanda. (2024, January 12). Why Juveniles Should Be Tried in Adults’ Court? https://ivypanda.com/essays/juvenile-prosecution-2/

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"Why Juveniles Should Be Tried in Adults’ Court?" IvyPanda, 12 Jan. 2024, ivypanda.com/essays/juvenile-prosecution-2/.

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IvyPanda. (2024) 'Why Juveniles Should Be Tried in Adults’ Court'. 12 January.

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IvyPanda. 2024. "Why Juveniles Should Be Tried in Adults’ Court?" January 12, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/juvenile-prosecution-2/.

1. IvyPanda. "Why Juveniles Should Be Tried in Adults’ Court?" January 12, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/juvenile-prosecution-2/.


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IvyPanda. "Why Juveniles Should Be Tried in Adults’ Court?" January 12, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/juvenile-prosecution-2/.

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