Prosecuting Juveniles In Adult Court - 1510 Words

Prosecuting Juveniles in Adult Court Kimberly Washington Introduction to Statistics for Criminal Justice Ayana Conway, Ph.D., Assistant Professor September 30, 2013 Abstract This research paper will examine whether or not juveniles that commit violent crimes should be tried as an adult. Through research, I will establish an argument that children who commit the crimes of an adult should be punished as an adult. Data based on experience and observation detailing the number of juvenile offenders that are housed in adult prisons and jails, as well as the number of prisoners serving life sentences that were earned by committing violent crimes before the age of 15 will be included in this research paper. Finally, I†¦show more content†¦As the overwhelming majority of research studies show, the adult criminal justice system is not equipped to meet the needs of youth offenders at all stages of the process, from trial to sentencing options to incarceration. The findings of the research show that justice is not served by forcing juveniles through a system never intended to process youth and that transfer laws have exacerbated the problems they sought to address. Nunez and Tang disagree with both Hudson and Mason, Chapman, Chang and Simon with a study that shows that some jurors my lose neutrality when judging juveniles tried in adult courts, thus leaving the sanctions utilized irrelevant and the length of sentences longer, impeding the theory of hope presented by Hudson. Kupchik (2006) reports, â€Å"More than 70 people are currently serving life without the possibility of parole sentences for crimes they committed before age 15.† (p. 271) He discusses the effectiveness of subjecting juveniles to the more rigid model of criminal court instead of the less formal and more flexible structure of juvenile court in order to reduce class and race bias. Kupchik determined that this was not possible because the predominant offender in both courts were Black or Latino. Kupchik concluded that the current sequential model of juvenile justice should be rejectedShow MoreRelatedWhat Are Five Major Court Cases That Influenced Our Treatment Of Juv eniles Today?1203 Words   |  5 Pages1 – Juvenile Court Process What are five major court cases that influenced our treatment of juveniles today? For each case, briefly state how the case has made an impact. Five major court cases that influenced our treatment of juveniles today include Kent v. United States (1966), In re Gault (1967), In re Winship (1970), McKeiver v. Pennsylvania (1971) and Breen v. Jones (1975). Kent v. United States (1966) set the standards for transfers. In this case, the judge ruled Kent to adult court withoutRead MoreThe Issue Of Adult Courts And Prisons1632 Words   |  7 Pagesinstead of heeding their cries for help, society subjects these children to the hardships of prisons. The sad truth is that the majority of juvenile cases are sent to adult courts and prisons, but we must consider the mental capacity and stability, along with external factors that make juveniles act out, and the only time the case should be sent to adult courts and prisons, is if heinous acts were taken and no other solution is possible. Children make mistakes. That is the whole point of being a child:Read MoreRights of Juveniles1267 Words   |  6 PagesDescribe the Legal rights juveniles have today To protect juveniles from self-incrimination, provisions were made to have the Miranda rights available before being questioned by the police. A 1979 us supreme court ruling found that juveniles should have a waiver and be old enough to understand the consequences of waiving their rights. The Miranda rights also protects juveniles against the unlawful search of their personal property, unless it is to maintain order and safety among other studentsRead MoreTrying Juveniles as Adults Essay1312 Words   |  6 PagesAccording to Caldwell (1961) the juvenile justice system is based on the principle that youth are developmentally and fundamentally different from adults. According to Mack (1909) the focus of the juvenile justice system has shifted from â€Å"was the crime committed† to â€Å"why did the child commit the crime†, â€Å"how can we help the child†. When performing as it is designed and up to the initial intentions, the juvenile court balances rehabilitat ion (treatment) of the offender with suitable sanctions whenRead MoreJuvenile Rehabilitation: Adult Prison vs. Juvenile Incarceration1703 Words   |  7 PagesJuvenile Rehabilitation: Adult Prisons vs. Juvenile Incarceration Maureen Fries-Labra English 122 Anna Hopson December 14, 2009 Juvenile Rehabilitation: Adult Prisons vs. Juvenile Incarceration The criminal justice system has a branch for juvenile offenders. Established in the early twentieth century; it is the responsibility of this division to decide the fates of youthful offenders. This is administered by family court with support of social workers and family. With the increased numberRead MoreThe Cost of Culpability: The Significance of Numbers Inside the Criminal Justice System (Age and Economics)1244 Words   |  5 Pages Both juveniles and mentally ill adult offenders fell under the above category, it was possible that one could be found not liable due to their age and mental status’ and win a victory in court that could be categorized as legal injustice. Throughout this paper, inconclusive evidence was found that suggested legal definitions were basically written the same but were interpreted differently by various courts. The only noticeable shifts were found in the application of these terms inside the criminalRead MoreEssay about How to Best Manage Juvenile Offenders700 Words   |  3 Pages Juvenile crime and managing young offenders continue to be long contested issues. Professional opinions regarding treatment of said wrongdoers have swung between rehabilitation, punishment, and currently rehabilitation. Balancing public safety and the perpetrator’s mental and emotional development causes scrutiny and debate over laws and methods regarding treatment for the youth. Juvenile la w focuses on rehabilitative services, when transfer to adult court is needed, and alternatives to incarcerationRead MoreTeen Court Programs Should Be Established1034 Words   |  5 Pagesstates Emmalyne Sheridan, a current WVU freshman and experiencer of the teen court process. Teen courts are legally binding, sentence based courts for first time low-level juvenile offenders that aim to build character instead of issuing punishments. These courts consist of juveniles holding positions such as clerk, prosecuting and defence attorneys, bailiff, and the jury. The entire process is completed with little adult involvement resulting in an almost completely teen run system. Some may argueRead MoreJuveniles Should Never Be Charged As Adults894 Words   |  4 PagesJuveniles should NEVER be charged as Adults The criminal court system is the system of law enforcement that is directly involved in apprehending, prosecuting, defending, sentencing, and punishing those who are suspected or convicted of criminal offenses. While the juvenile court system, is used to address and deal with youth, who are caught and/or convicted of crimes. The juvenile court system was established in the United States about two hundred years ago, with the first court appearing in IllinoisRead MoreMaking Poor Decisions : The Sentencing Age For Juveniles1257 Words   |  6 Pageswhat happens when making a poor decision results in unforeseen consequences that can lead to the destruction of an individual’s adult life. For some juveniles, those poor decisions consist of the commission of criminal offenses, which can automatically set them up for failure in their adult lives. P1 P2 Taking the initiative to change the sentencing age for juveniles will help America not only use funds in a more constructive way, but will also help youth learn from their mistakes without being