After reading the article it's hard to determine whether or not punishment or rehabilitation is better for juveniles. Based on some facts from the articles and prior knowledge I believe that rehabilitation is a better path for juvenile crimes. Rehabilitation means kids have a chance to get their life back on track and change for the better, versus with adult punishment kids are likely to learn the same lesson but once they get out they think the system is against them, which in some cases is true.
It was hard to determine which side I agreed with because in the article " Unique Juvenile Court Teaches Minority Boys to be Men" they talk about crimes like petty theft and aggravated assault, whereas in the article "Adult Punishments for Juveniles" they talk about crimes like homicide. ‘Only rarely does an under-18 juvenile defendant wind up in adult court. Yet some activists would put an end to that practice in every instance, no matter the crime and no matter the criminal. But can they really prove that adult punishment is never appropriate for juveniles who’ve committed adult crimes?” (Stimson) I agree that children should be charged like adults if they commit murder, but if someone under 18 commits petty theft, or gives a small improbable threat to a classmate then I don't believe they should be brought to the adult court.
In most cases when a minor commits a crime or gets accused of something, especially if that minor is part of a minority, they just need someone to believe in them and help them right their wrong. “For at least one mother waiting outside the courtroom, DMC is ‘an answer to prayer.’...The woman’s son is relatively new to the program. “Him getting into trouble was real hard for me. I need him to learn to follow the rules,” said the woman, who is a volunteer minister. ‘I wish they had it when my nephew got in trouble. There wasn’t anyone to show they cared.’” If you show a troubled child you care they are more likely to change their ways and try to stay out of trouble or if you show a troubled child that no one cares and the system is against you they are more likely to end up back in trouble.
It is for these reasons that I believe rehabilitation is the best answer for juveniles that commit non serious crimes. If a child steals from a gas station they don't need to be sentenced for years they just need someone to show them a better path. But if a child plans or commits murder then the situation is definitely different and they should get both programs not just prison for life.
It was hard to determine which side I agreed with because in the article " Unique Juvenile Court Teaches Minority Boys to be Men" they talk about crimes like petty theft and aggravated assault, whereas in the article "Adult Punishments for Juveniles" they talk about crimes like homicide. ‘Only rarely does an under-18 juvenile defendant wind up in adult court. Yet some activists would put an end to that practice in every instance, no matter the crime and no matter the criminal. But can they really prove that adult punishment is never appropriate for juveniles who’ve committed adult crimes?” (Stimson) I agree that children should be charged like adults if they commit murder, but if someone under 18 commits petty theft, or gives a small improbable threat to a classmate then I don't believe they should be brought to the adult court.
In most cases when a minor commits a crime or gets accused of something, especially if that minor is part of a minority, they just need someone to believe in them and help them right their wrong. “For at least one mother waiting outside the courtroom, DMC is ‘an answer to prayer.’...The woman’s son is relatively new to the program. “Him getting into trouble was real hard for me. I need him to learn to follow the rules,” said the woman, who is a volunteer minister. ‘I wish they had it when my nephew got in trouble. There wasn’t anyone to show they cared.’” If you show a troubled child you care they are more likely to change their ways and try to stay out of trouble or if you show a troubled child that no one cares and the system is against you they are more likely to end up back in trouble.
It is for these reasons that I believe rehabilitation is the best answer for juveniles that commit non serious crimes. If a child steals from a gas station they don't need to be sentenced for years they just need someone to show them a better path. But if a child plans or commits murder then the situation is definitely different and they should get both programs not just prison for life.
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