2 Teens at Center of Juvenile Crime

Debate
Mya, Megan S., Megan U., Andru, Tyler, Kira, Kaitlin

Central ideas
Juveniles shouldnt be
tried as adults for their
crimes.

Juvenile laws are more

lenient than adults.

Types of evidence and effectiveness(#1)

They were driven by

emotional and
psychological factors
(paragraph 14)

Juvenile offenders are not little adult

criminals (paragraph 12)
This evidence used imagery because
you can imagine little kids being tiny
adults doing crimes. It is effective in
seeing things in a teenagers POV

Evidence and effectiveness (#2)

After that [25 year
sentence] he could go
on with the rest of his
life. (paragraph 16)

Soler said he still

believed Tate and
Williams should be
punished, but their
cases have to be
considered individually.
(paragraph 21)

Summary
In Brain Robinsons argumentative article 2 Teens at center of Juvenile Crime
Debate (March 9). He argues that juveniles shouldnt be trialed for adult
crimes. Robinson first backs up his argument by using a pathos method of
evidence, he used quotes from a mother of one of the two teenagers using the
mother as a trigger of an emotion of sadness toward the media. He then
counter argues his claim by explaining that the crimes committed by these two
teens shouldnt go unpunished. His purpose is to inform the nation that
juveniles shouldnt be tried as adults in order to show that there are multiple
factors on why these adolescents did what they did. He seems to have a
criminal justice audience in mind (Juries, judges, lawyers, defense attorneys,
etc.) because his evidence is important to the teenagers cases.

Juvenile Crimes

Sentenced to 25 years
in prison then can go
on for the rest if their
lives

Two teens tried

individually than for the
same crime

Adult Crimes

Could be sentenced to
life in prison
Criminal
trials
Multiple people trialed
for the same crime

2 Teens at Center of Juvenile Crime Debate

Juveniles shouldnt be tried as adults for their crimes.

o Example: They were driven by emotion and
psychological factors (paragraph 14)
How it develops idea: Shows that due to
emotional and psychological factors, it is not
the juveniles fault.
Type of evidence: Logos
Gave a logical reason, which was very
effective.
o Example: Juvenile offenders are not little
adult criminals (paragraph 12)
How it develops idea: Shows that kids are not
adults, they need to learn from their mistakes.
Type of evidence: Pathos
This evidence used imagery because you can
imagine little kids being tiny adults doing
crimes. It is effective in seeing things in a
teenagers point of view.

Juvenile laws are more lenient than adults.

o Example: After that [25 year sentence] he could go
on with the rest of his life. (paragraph 16)
How it develops idea: Gives proof that
juvenile laws arent harsh.
Type of evidence: Logos
Brought out the definition of proposition 21
and was effective.
o Example: Soler said he still believed Tate
and Williams should be punished, but their
cases have to be considered individually.
(paragraph 21)
How it develops idea: Shows that juveniles
cant be tried the same as adults, since they
are just kids.
Type of evidence: Expert Testimony
Since it is used by an expert in criminal
justice, it is very effective and credible
(ethos).