Question: Why do kids go to jail for life for something they did when they are young and stupid?
Answer: First, kids don't usually go to jail for life, period. The kid would have to be transferred to Adult Court to get a life sentence, and even then only a brutal murder would qualify for a life sentence. Although more and more juveniles are now being transferred to Adult Court, life sentences for juveniles are the exception rather than the rule.
The Courts realize that many juveniles commit crimes and do 'stupid' things as kids. Therefore, the object of the juvenile criminal system is to rehabilitate the juvenile, not punish. A life sentence serves as punishment and does not serve this purpose.
If the juvenile justice system never allowed juveniles to re-enter society in order to show that they can make amends for their troubled past, the system has failed. Today, there are so many alternatives to jail or even probation for our troubled kids. Some of these include court-supervised on the job training or education training.
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On 04/20/04
Dave from AZ said:
The issue here is whether or not juveniles should have consequences for criminal activity which often leads to the victimization of innocent people.Most people would agree that people should have consequences for crime;we have an obligation to teach juveniles that in the real world, there are in fact consequences.If you miss work, you may lose your job, etc.So then, shouldn't the consequence fit the crime.In the real world this is true.Therefore, community service is appropriate for some crime;but what about the kid who is an armed robber?Pick up trash?Come on.Why would this kid change?
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On 09/23/03
Jade from Othe said:
i completely agree.
our town is so filthy. juveniles could just get communtiy service
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On 04/07/03
yo yo from AZ said:
I like the fact that you think that they should work for the community but they do the crime let them do the time. Look at this from all angles.
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On 12/25/02
ohidon'twanttosay from AZ said:
the system has failed then.
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On 12/17/02
Veronica from TX said:
Would you really want a juvenile playing with orphans? It all reflects on the parents. if kids mess up when they are young dosn't that show that they lack parental supervision?....
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