Should juveniles be tried as adults for serious crimes?

jurydoc

The most recent research on the physiology of brain development indicates the brain continues development until around the age of 25 AND the last region to fully develop is the prefrontal cortex. This area of the brain is responsible for being able to perform more complex rational functioning, including the ability to forsee the consequences of one's actions. Given this state of development of the science, I could make a very strong legal argument for the absence of mens rea in juveniles.

manningjames34

yes, and if a murder occurs and they are gang member, execute them!! kill all gang members!!

nov22lagirl

Yes! They all no better

ChesterBunny

Yes, they should, but they should not be in the same prison as adults.

stephenl1950

Yes. Especially if the crime is serious, such as murder or rape

David A

DEPENDS THE AGE I THINK WHEN A CHILD GETS TO THE AGE OF KNOWING WELL ENOUGH FROM RIGHT AND WRONG WELLFULLY, THEN YEP ...IF A 15 YEAR OLD JUST STOLE A GUN AND SHOT MY DAUGHTER , HE BETTER BE TRIED AS AN ADULT!!!

jeligula

No no no no no no. This is a ridiculous practice and needs to stop. We cannot treat minors as children with no real rights and then charge them as adults when they do something wrong. That is as hypocritical as it is possible to be. It happens all the time where I live and I think it is not only not right, but a grave injustice to society.

Chad P

Absolutely if they want to act like an adult treat them like one and put them in adult prison to once they are convicted!

Mason K

It depends on the case. With an eight year old shooting someone, they may not have known the repercussions of such an action, or even had a concept of indelible actions.

Blame the parents. Why give a child access to sources of crimes. They should be watched all of the time.

With a person let's say, sixteen, they are developed, and should understand repercussions. If a sixteen year old commits murder, they should be locked up for life.

Inquisitive Beggar

It depends on which crimes you're speaking of.

Edward C

A very calm and serene YES!

jis6969

depending on the crime, like theft or drug posessions no; now if they murder someone the definatly: if ur old enough to then ur old enough to suffer the consiquinces.

JEFF S

yes

Shieldgambit

yes
if they are mature enough to commit them!

Scott

Yes! Regardless of age you do the crime you do the time!

Patsy

Yes, if you big enough to do the crime you should be big enough to do the time.

Sarah

Depends on the age, crime and upbringing.

Mindy82

I think that juveniles should definitely be tried as adults for serious crimes because if they are crazy enough to commit the crime then they should be punished adequately. I know many would not agree with me but in my defense there are many adults who are on the level of a juvenile and they are still tried as adults. I really believe that if they are able to get away with a serious crime that they'll continue to do the crime.

Coco M

yes especially children

:) Lucy (:

Yes. A juvenile still knows right from wrong, the same as an adult.

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