FINAL SCORE: 36/50

Dante Smith

ERWC 12, Period 3

14 February, 2017

Juvenile Justice Problem/Solution Paper

One main issue with the juvenile justice system is that we arent sure whether or not juveniles

should be tried as adults based on the extent and nature of the crimes committed. This is an issue

due to the fact that juveniles brains arent fully developed until the age of around 25. Theres no

denying that the violent crimes committed are terrible and that they should serve the time for it.

But the controversial topic is if they receive a type of treatment while incarcerated, do they have

a chance of bringing something positive to the table in society once released? Should they be

tried as adults if they committed the crime when they were minors? Perhaps not due to the

factors that play such as a brain not fully developed.

On one side, some people believe that these offenders should be tried as adults, regardless of

age. They think this because by the time you are a teenager, most people should know the

difference between right and wrong. When you commit an adult heinous crime such as murder

or assault, you should be tried as an adult. They go by that saying, If you cant do the time,

dont do the crime. But what if that offender is mentally ill or has a bad upbringing?
The other side believes that offenders should not be tried as adults if the crime is committed as a

minor. Instead, the other side looks into why that offender committed such a terrible crime such

as mental illness or physical/mental abuse. Those who are against trying minors as adults also

look into the negative outcomes of a minor being in the adult prison system.

For starters, the brains of young offenders still are not fully developed. This means they are

more susceptible to negative peer pressure, more impulsive, struggle with immaturity and have

trouble making decisions, according to studies discussed in a CNN article, Kids should never be

tried as adults. Also, juveniles who are incarcerated with adults are more likely to be physically

assaulted or sexually assaulted according to Michele Deitch in The Houston Chronicle. This may

potentially cause them to commit more crimes in the future both in jail and once released due to

the fact that they will be housed with adult, seasoned criminals who leave influences on youth.

While in the juvenile justice system things such as counseling and education can be offered. If

this is the case, that juvenile might have a chance of doing good for the society once released

from jail. Because bottom line, even if they are sentenced to life, the typical life sentence is 60

years. That means the offender will be released back into society one day.
 Works Cited

1. McGaughy, Lauren. "Juvenile Justice Advocates Want Age of Adulthood Raised to

18."Houston Chronicle. Lauren McGaughy, 02 Jan. 2015. Web. 09 Feb. 2017.

<http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/politics/texas/article/Juvenile-justice-advocates-want-

age-of-adulthood-5988549.php>.

2. Anderson, Scott. "Greg Ousley Is Sorry for Killing His Parents. Is That Enough?" The New York

Times. The New York Times, 21 July 2012. Web. 8 Feb. 2017.

<http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/22/magazine/greg-ousley-is-sorry-for-killing-his-parents-is-

that-enough.html>.

3. Schwartz, Robert. "Kids Should Never Be Tried as Adults." CNN. Cable News Network, 18 Feb. 2010.

Web. 13 Feb. 2017. <http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/02/18/schwartz.kids.trials/>.