Sending Juveniles to Adult Court (Remote-Due 5/3 at 4:00)
Harry Lawanorder is a State Representative working on new legislation concerning juveniles. He is a firm believer that in order to stop offenders from committing more crimes, the only answer is transferring more juveniles to adult court. He is absolutely convinced that by doing so, juveniles will 'get the message' and juvenile crime will lessen. He has asked for your opinion since you are now becoming a juvenile justice expert.
1. After reading chapter 14, particularly about transferring juveniles to adult court, what advice would you give to the representative about his vision for lessening juvenile crime (write this blog in memeo form-from you to Harry) ? Make sure you sure you give him the total picture about the good and bad of this transfer process.
2. What is your view of this practice? Include a quote from the text that supports your view.
posted by ProfessorQuinnCCP @ 11:26 AM
23 Comments:
Dear Mr Harry Laeanorder after reading through your colum on your believe that in order to stop offenders from committing more crime the only answer is transefering more juvenile to adult court. I dont agree with you on this and the reason is that would juvenile who got into a fight and a long the line injured somebody will be send to an adult court like someone who willing kill another person also i believe sending juvenile to adult court will not lessen their criminal activies but worsen it because after doing a jail term they beleive that everything is over for them and the continue into more crime but if given a second chance they may change and be good to the society. finaly after reading chapter 14 of the juvenile delinquency test book I agree that juvenile should not be sentence to adult court.but be treated as a a juvenile who does not know their right from wrong but after given another if they still continue then some more drastic action should be taken into consideration.
1.
To: Harry Lawanorder
From: Regina Schepis
In order to stop juveniles from committing more crimes one answer is to transfer them into an adult jail. There are positive results and there are also negative outcomes of putting juveniles into an adult environment. You would have to look at the age and crime of the offender. If the crime is a common crime committed among teenagers that just occurs while growing up I don’t think they should be punished by adult jail. Examples of common crimes committed by juveniles that are not serious crimes are cutting school, underage drinking, and experimenting with sex and drugs. These children need to go to drug treatment centers and have family counseling. A juvenile should be punished by adult jails when the crime they commit hurts or effects someone else. Such crimes are robbing, raping, or physically hurting another person to the point of hospitalization. Age also has a factor when dealing with juveniles being put into an adult jail. Children eleven and under may not be able to mentally understand that what they are doing is wrong and may not learn from their mistake. I don’t think that some of the adult prisoners can handle having such young offenders around them. This may cause other crimes like sexual assault to a minor, These children need to be taught right from wrong and may need to be counseled not punished. After learning right from wrong a child who makes an adult decision to rob someone should be punished like an adult would be. You can not simply ignore a crime that was committed because a juvenile committed it. Every crime needs to face a consequences.
2. After reading Chapter 14, I feel that this program is helping juvenile’s succeed in life. There are many different opportunities for youths to change their lives around and become role models. Sending juveniles to adult jail without trying other methods of punishment is not always the correct answer. House arrest is a good way to punish a juvenile offender because it is the courts that are making the child stay in the house not the parent who may give into their child and allow them to go and hang out with their friends. Giving back to the community by either reimbursing their victims or by community service is another way to punish a juvenile. Before a juvenile goes back to jail I agree with them having a second chance by obeying a probation officer. I believe every juvenile should be given a second chance no matter what the crime is. After given the opportunity to turn their life around threw treatment, probation or other methods the juvenile should have learned what is right and what is wrong. If they commit a crime again I feel that they should be punished by adult jail time.
1. Attn: Rep. H. Lawanorder
From: Danae Steadley
After reviewing your position on the transfer of juveniles from juvenile court to adult court in order to lessen crime, I have come up with a response that points out both the positive and negative effects of such a dramatic move. I do not agree with your idea because there is not enough evidence to support the fact that juveniles tried in adult court have any positive outcome or experiences after being released from adult prisons. The only positive thing that I have found is that this idea institutes the get-tough approach to the fullest and that is all. On the negative side of thngs, waiving juvenile offenders to adult court is not providing them with the treatment and rehabilitation that is meant for them to receive from juvenile courts. There is also evidence that shows that this waiver can be harmful in the long-run. The offenders now become labeled, may possibly receive longer sentences, and are more likely to relapse back to criminal offending because they have not been properly rehabilitated by the adult prison system. With all evidence pointing towards the negative, I have to disagree with your decision Mr. Lawanorder.
2. After reading about the waivering procedure I can not say that it is a bad idea in its entirety. I do believe that it has some ground behind it but only with regards to juveniles who have committed crimes that are extremely felonious and there are absolutely no rulings or punishments for that offense in a juvenile court. But as I wrote in the memo above, there are far too many negatives for the outcomes of the lives of child offenders in the future. I agree with the book when it states: "labeling children as adult offenders early in life may seriously impair their future educational, employment, and othe opportunities."
To: Harry Lawanorder
From: Candice Hunter
I don’t think the statement you made about transferring juveniles to adult court will lower the juvenile crime rate. There are some good reasons to do so but then there are the bad as well. Even though some juveniles do commit crimes that should receive punishment for their actions rather than the programs because the programs are not effective for all juveniles. Waivers can cause long-term harm for some juveniles they will be labeled as adult offenders and this will make it hard for them to get good jobs or even an education.
Also juveniles who are sentenced to adult court seem to have longer sentences than a juvenile that is sentenced in a juvenile court. On the other hand there are good points about the waiver process. Like I said before some juveniles commit more serious crimes than others and they should be held accountable for their action. Meaning the rehabilitation programs will not be effective for them so the only other alternative would be to trial them in a criminal court. Another reason is that a serious charge in a juvenile court may not be consired as serious in an adult court, so this may conclude in the dismissal of the charges brought against the juvenile.
2. After reading the chapter I don't think juveniles should be sentenced to adult court. It stigmatizes them and sentencing them to prison may have a long-term negative effective on them. If a juvenile is sentenced to prison according to the text “the children may be incarcerated under conditions so extreme they may be physically and sexually exploited, and will become permanently damaged”.
TO: Harry Lawandorder
State Representative
FROM: Chablis Butler
DATE: May 2, 2007
SUBJECT:Transferring Juveniles to Adult Court
Mr. Lawandorder, I am in receipt of a preliminary copy of the proposed legislation regarding transferring juveniles to adult court. After reading it I am know aware of your beliefs in what it would take to stop offenders from committing crimes. You suggest that transferring juveniles to adult court would reduce crime and also send a message to other juveniles.
There are some negative implications by sending a juvenile to adult court. Transferring juveniles will conflict with traditional treatment and rehabilitative methods. There is not enough evidence to support that the waiver policy actually reduces crime. A juvenile could be labeled causing long term harm. Children sent to adult court could be physically or sexually harmed resulting in permanent damage. Inadequate or limited treatment is provided to a juvenile who is in adult prison.
The waiving concept of transferring juveniles to adult court has been tagged the get tough policy. Some positive aspects of transferring juveniles to adult court would be only using this policy for serious cases of delinquency and it would keep the violent delinquents off the street.
My view on the practice of transferring juveniles to adult court is that it should only be used for the most serious and repeating offenders of delinquency. I believe that the use of traditional methods of treating and rehabilitating a youth for crimes that aren’t considered severe is sufficient punishment. After being arrested, the juvenile should be evaluated to determine the cause of delinquent behavior. Evaluation of the juvenile should determine if the crime committed is a result of biological, socio economical or developmental issues. The assessment could be the foundation for determining what course of treatment or rehabilitation is needed.
To: Harry Laeanoder,
This idea that you have for juveniles getting teransferred to adult court can be a bad one. It might do more harm than good. For example if their sent to do adult time, it may interfer wether or not they grow out of thier delinquency behavior. Another reason this is a bad idea you may not be accmplishing what you have intended, because their case has a better chance to be dismissed by a jury trial. It can also be a good leasson to those who commit sush hanis crimes. Just because their young they are under the impression
that nothing will happen to them when they get caught. this is just a thougth I had that I wanted to share with you
From: Carmen Melendez
1)
To: State Representative Harry Lawanorder
From: Mia Carson
Subject: Transferring youth offenders
Dear Mr.Lawanorder,
In response to your request for my opinion on tranferring more juveniles to adult court, I strongly recommend that you review the research on the pros and cons of waiving before you implement harsher policies. Although transferring juvenile delinquents is viewed as an important method of keeping society safe against serious and violent offenders and holding them accountable for their actions, it may not be as beneficicl as one may presume. Studying the juvenile justice system closely, I have observed more negative aspects of transferring than positive. For instance, many waived youths are no more dangerous than their counterparts that are processed through the juvenile system; however, upon release, waived youths have a higher recidivism rate. Research suggests that children who remain in the juvenile justice system most often stray from delinquency and do not become adult offenders. Futhermore, one of the most significant issues concerning this practice is the juvenile justice system's goal. Waiving clashes with the system's mission to rehabilatate, as opposed to punish children. In addition, serious cases admitted into juvenile courts may not be considered serious in criminal courts; therefore, juveniles have a greater chance of receiving a lesser sentence, a dismissal or an aqquital. Equally important, removing youths from juvenile courts puts them at risk for being stigmatized and physically and sexually harmed. Waived children may become labeled by society as felons or criminals. Subsequently, they may lack certain opportunities that are readily available to law abiding citizens, such as educational achievements and employment advancement. Also, waived youths can be the target of abuse while housed in adult facilities. Youths may be raped and/or beaten at the hands of adult inmates and correctional officers. In short, there is limited evidence that states strict waiver policies can lower crime rates ; therefore, you should consider focusing on developing more treatment efforts or improving the programs that currently exist.
Sincerely,
Mia Carson
2)
After reading the information in chapter 14 concerning the processes of the juvenile justice system, I am undecided on the issue of transferring youths to adult courts. I am a firm believer of holding people accountable for their actions. Ideally I think harsh punishments should deter crime but the research in chapter 14 seems to challenge my beliefs. According to our text, "once they are released, waived juveniles have a higher recidivism rate than those kept in juvenile court". Furthermore, "this has prompted some critics to ask: Why bother transferring these children" (439)? Our text also emphasizes that there is little evidence available that supports the idea of stricter waiving policies resulting in reduced crime rates.
To: State Representative Harry Lawanorder
From: Asia Price
Subject: Sending Juveniles to Adult court.
Dear Mr.Lawanorder,
I am writing this in response to the new legislation you are working on, concerning transferring more juveniles to adult courts. I do not agree with this method, I feel that only the juveniles who commit serious crimes should be transferred over to adult court. Yes there some positive effects to transferring juveniles to adult court, doing so would keep violent juveniles off the streets longer, and like you have sated it would show other juveniles that this type of behavior will not be tolerated. What about the children who are being sent to the adult court systems? What will happen to them when it is time for them to get out of adult jail? When these children come home they will be looked at as criminals, which will make it hard for them to get a job, which in the long run will cause them to repeat the same actions they took to land themselves in jail in the first place. In closing I would like to tell you that throwing away these children in the long run will get you no where.
2. In my opinion it is ok to transfer a juveniles that have committed a serious crime, but it is not ok to send a child that has only committed a minor crime to the adult court system. “...decisions on type and serious of the crime the offences … has advanced the criminalization of the juvenile and has interfered with its traditional mission of treatment and rehabilitation.” Instead of these kids receiving the help that they need, they are being thrown away.
Dear Mr. Harry Laeanorder, by sending delinquent juveniles to adult courts and prisons it will send the message that delinquency will not be tolerated. I disagree with your decision to lessen the penalty and discipline for these delinquents. They are costing the government billions of dollars each year. This money could be used for something more productive such as after school programs and scholarships for deserving youth. I am a firm believer in the free will theory and deterrance. Society and the cultures within it are rapidly changing and so should we. Crimes such as petty theft and simple assault can stay within the juvenile court system, but serious offenses such as aggravated assault, rape and homicide should be transferred to adult courts.
The negative side of this transfer is that adults are alot stronger and can overpower a juvenile physically and mentally. Juveniles are also at risk for being pursuaded or bullied into more negative behavior such as gang activity or homosexuality. We must weigh our options and determine what will be in the best interest of the juvenile and society.
To: Mr. Harry Lawander
CC: Mr. Quinn
From: Tynnetta Bey
Date: 5/3/2007
Re: Transferring juveniles to adult court
Mr. Lawanorder I understand in your attempt to stop juvenile crime you are working on new legistration to transfer juveniles to adult court. You may believe that increasing waivers will get violent offenders off the streets, and that the waivers are for juveniles that commit more serious crimes. You may also believe that some juveniles commit crimes that deserve punishment. So, I understand you having a get- tough attitude towards the serious juvenile offenders. However, there is little evidence that transferring juveniles to adult court will reduce crime. What evidence has shown is that most youth who remain in the juvenile justice system age out; they do not become adult offenders. Transferring juveniles to adult court can also have some long-term damage on their future such as education, and/ or employment opportunities. Youth who are convicted in adult court usually serve more time than those who are convicted in the juvenile system. Once they are convicted in adult court they are placed with adults leaving them vulnerable with the possibility of being sexually exploited and/ or physically harmed. I asked that you look at the evidence before dismissing the rehabilitative idea.
2. I oppose waivers because I believe in the tradional mission of treatment and rehabilatation. I know that some crimes that are committed by juveniles deserve punishment. I'm not to thrill with the punishment being incarcerating juveniles with adults. I stated in the memo above many reasons why transferring juveniles to adults court is not a good idea, based on evidence. I know that legistration is for public protection. However, " waivers don't always support the goal of increased public safety". We have to evaluate evidence in order to achieve a goal. Let's spend our money on what evidence shows that works. The cost of programming is less expensive than the cost of incarcaration and fees ocurred after release. Juvenile delinquecy is a very complex problem. There are alot of contributing factors. The strategic plan has to be multidemisional for one to see a decline in juvenile criminal behavior.
1.
To:Harry Lawanorder
In your beliefs that in order to stop offenders from committing more crimes, the only answer is transferring more juveniles to adult court. I would have to disagree on that theory.For one the negative results outwiegh the positive results. Sending children to adult court can cause long term harm,they can be stigmatized and it also effects their futureeducational and employment opportunities.Then you also have to look at the protection of these children in adult prisons. They may be physically and sexually exploited that may cause permanent damage.These teens need rehabilitation, house arrest or be sent to a placement or detention center. Then if they dont change thier ways then maybe, depending on how serious the crime is and thier age, they should be sent to adult court and prison
2.after reading through the chapter, I do not agree with this practice. I believe that there are many better ways to help these children.prison should be the last resort.The book states that “the children may be incarcerated under conditions so extreme they may be physically and sexually exploited, and will become permanently damaged".
Dear Mr. Harry Lawanorder my name is Nakeya berry and I am responing to your thougt on sending juveniles to adult court. I know that you said that you feel that if juveniles were sent to adult court then they would stop commiting crime , well Iam here to tell you that that is not true. There has been little research to prove that you hypotheies to be true.Research has showm this sendind juveniles to adult court has in no way lower the crime rate. In fact it has been said that if you send a juvenile to adult court it conflits with the rehabilitation. Also studies have shown that most children that goes though the juvenile system do not become adult offenders.
If a child is sent to adult court then it could affect his or her furture. The child could suffer with there furture education, their jobs and their furture living life style. There is a high chance that the juvenile will get re-arrested in the furture if he/she is sent to adult prison then if they went though the juvenile court system.
I feel that juvenile should be kept in the juvenile so that they can be help and not harmed. Sending Kids to adult prison is only opening their minds to things that they are not ready for. Iam going to sign off with a quote from my juvenile justice text book;These children may be incarcerated under conditions so extrem, and in institutions where they may be physically and sexually exploited, that they will become permanently damaged.
Dear HArry Lawanorder
I am writing to you explain why it is not inthe best interest of these children to just throw off into adult court because it is just making a lot of people's job easier. In order to teach a child a lesson you need to find out underlying causes for their behavior. being release from juvenile court into adult jurisdiction is not going to really help the problems in most cases you are going to have a bigger problem on your hands if you get to adhere to your beliefs. We are now going to have adult criminals and what will you say then it was their decision because they are adults now. Why not just think of other ways we can help our children when they are in need that right I said children because that is what they are no matter how you spend it to make you feel better sir. I do not mean any disrespect, but if half the people in the juvenile court system get off their lazy you know whats maybe we as leaders and people who are supposed show are children the right way can do some real work and put our head together and come up with a real solution to the problem..
2. I definitely believe that juvenile are just that juveniles and that is how they should be treated granted you have some that are more far gone than others but that just means that people in this field need to work harder to make a difference. Like in the case of Morris Kent he was turned over to the adult court for robbery and some other charges and recieved 30 -90 years as a sentence without any evidence and no fair hearing and I think only because he was a juvenile who never really knew his rights. Just like in this case in others the juvenile courts do the same thing and often get away with it because a lot of poor children can not financially obtain adequate representation and are left to rely on court appointed lawyers and just get bamboozled and it is just not fair or just
To: Harry Lawanorder
From: John oluwole
In my opinion, i believe that most juveniles should not be transferred to adult court, because each juveniles commit different crimes, and to send to adult court will not be helpful, in which it gives no chance for rehabilitation. mostly, each juveniles has different problems such as: IQ, age, and other psychological problems. and i also believe each of the juveniles should be evaluated to understand why they committed the crime,because most juveniles commit the most common crime which includes: skipping school,abusing drugs,underage drinking, and early sexual activities. on the other hand, the few juveniles that commit the EVIL CRIME should be dealt with, which will serve as an examples to the other juveniles. In general, i believe they should all be given a second chance to succeed in life because they all have different minds, and some of them might age out of the crime life and lastly, people make mistakes, and the most important part is how we learn from our mistakes.
2. According to the chapter, i still believe that juveniles should not be sentenced to adult court, because the impact might deminish their chances for success in life which includes, education,employment. if they are denied this opportunity, they might recommence their criminal activity and finally chose to live the crime life.
To: Mr. Harry Lawanorder
From: Lauren Furtak
Referring To: Sending juveniles to adult court.
May 3rd 2007
Mr. Lawanorder,
I do agree with the get tough law on juveniles. I strongly believe that juveniles who commit adult crime should have to serve adult time! But we should only use the get tough law on chronic offenders, and offenders who commit serious crimes such as murder and rape. The down side of sending juveniles to adult court is, they wont get the right help they need such as treatments and rehabilitation. Also once you charged with a felony as adult, you will carry that felony around with you forever. That felony then labels that juvenile though out there life, if they go for a job it will be on the record for the employer to see. It will also follow them in the education process. It’s as the saying goes, the passed always comes back to haunt you.
I still agree in some serous juveniles cases should be sent to the adult system. Without the chance of being charged as a juvenile. But, those less serious crimes should be charged as juveniles. As the book says “ most kids who remain in the juvenile justice system do not become adult offenders.”
1. To: Harry Lawanorder
From: Brandon Keys
I believe that by sending children to adult prisons, you are trying to send a strong message to the youth and attemping to decrease the desire to commit crimes in youth. There are pro's and con's to this theory. I do believe that this will decrease crime but only by a small percent because criminals don't consider that fact that they will be apprehended but the kids who are sent to adult prisons will recieve physical and psychological abuse and . There is little to no evidence that suggest transferring youth to adults courts decreases the crime rate. Studies show that the adult offenders status mentally cripples children which results in a unsuccessful life. Studies also explain that the children who were transferred to adult prisons weren't serious offenders but repeats. It appears that a different methond should be used instead of throwing them in jail. This also shows that these kids aren't violent and is no way harmful to the other juvenile prisoners. I believe counseling should substitute the waiver idea. This might not deter youth away from crime which is the negative but the positive is that these children would recieve the proper help that they need. Sending them to adult prison should be the last resort.
2. Sending juveniles to adult jail is a bad idea. The long term damage that it causes children will not help them in the long run. It really depends on the child, some kids need counseling and others need to learn the hard way but that should be determined beforehand so the kids who need to be sent to prisons are sent. The quote that stuck out the most was "Labeling children as adult offenders early in life may seriously impair their future educational, employment, and other opportunities." The lasting effects will result in repeated offenders.
To: Harry Lawanorder
From:Melissa Burch
I strongly disagree with your views about transfering juveniles to adult courts. This willnot stop offenders from committing more crimes. There is little evidence that strict waivers policies can lower crime. The crimes that some juvenile offenders commit more likely be incarcerated and receive longer sentence than juvenile court. It can add an undue burden to youthful offenders. There is a higher recidivism rate than those kept in juvenile court. They may be incarcerated under conditions so extreme where they may be physically and sexually exploited. This will caused permanent damaged. It goes againt rehabiltiative ideal. You will be labeling children as adult offenders early in life. The transfer decision are not always carrid out fairly. There is evidence that minorities are waive at a rate that is greater than others. I can see a couple positive things that can come out of transfering more juveniles to adult court. This may help get violent offenders off street.
There are some cases that require a greater criminal penalty than available in juvenile court. I feel like we have to stick with the traditional mission of treatment and rehabilitation we can't just give up and send them to adult courts. I am grown and for me to go to adult court it is intimidating. I know everybody is tired of the crime rate but this is not the solution Mr. Harry Lawanorder. If you transfer more juveniles to adult courts you will end up with a bigger problem. Once they are released waived juveniles have a higer recidivism rate than those kept in juvenile courts don't forget.
To: Harry Landowner
From: Dustin Wirt
This memo is regarding your firm position on transferring more juveniles to the adult criminal system. One flaw with this idea is that it prevents the juvenile system from performing its task of rehabilitation. Also at this point there is no substantial statistics to show that increased waivers affects the crime rate. In-fact most children in the juvenile system do not become adult offenders. If we put such a plan into motion there could be some adverse effects. In a study in PA. It was found that youths that committed similar offenses had much harsher sentences in the adult system and could very well under go significant mental and physical damage. One other study showed that once juveniles processed within the adult courts had much higher recidivism rates.
2. My view is simple. I think that each case should be meticulously reviewed and if thought to be so hainess or unlawful the juvenile will be sent to adult criminal court. This decision would be ratified by some sort of board of judges, both criminal and juvenile. Author Franklin Zimring supports this idea. He writes, "Some cases involving more serious offenses require...penalty greater than that available to the juvenile court."
Harry Lawanorder this is Stephen and I am a reporter for NBC. I saw that you are a State Representative. Also I can see that you are working on a new legislation concerning juveniles. I just hear that you want to put a stop to juvenile offenders who are committing more crimes. I see that you feel the only way to do that is to transfer juveniles to adult court. But the thing that you don't realize is that their is a postive and a negative side to this strategy.
The negative side is that by transfering juveniles to an adult court it would interfer with them getting rehabilitation, that a juvenile would had receive in an juvenile institution. All juveniles who commit crimes does not become adult offenders. If a juvenile is sent to a adult court it can really mess up their life in terms of future education and job employment. Most colleges will not accept a student to there university if they have an criminal record and jobs won't hire anybody with a criminal record. Also by sending a juvenile to an adult institution where they could be physically and sexually abuse. They will have no chance of recovering. Also the last negative factor about sending a juvenile to an adult court is that they could get more time oppose if they were tried at a juvenile court.
Now their are some positive factors about a juvenile getting sent to a adult court. If a juvenile has a serious record it will give them a longer sentence oppose if there case were tried in a juvenile court. The last positive factor about a juvenile being sent to an adult court is that all the charges isn't rate the same at a juvenile court and an adult court. Which mean that there are sometime when you will be given time if you commit a crime and were tried at an juvenile court but if you were tried for the same crime at an adult court the charge will get drop. These are the postive factors about having a juvenile tried at an adult court.
2.My view of this practice is good because sometimes juveniles should get tried for there charge at an adult court. Because it will help stop juveniles from committing crimes if they knew that they will be tried as an adult instead of a juvenile. Most juveniles doesn't want to spend time in an adult institution where they could be taken advantage of and given a longer sentence for a serious crime. I also feel that only the serious juvenile offenders should be sent to an adult institution. " Juveniles are most likely to be transferred to an adult court if they have injured someone with a weapon or if they have a long juvenile court record pg 440"
To:Harry Laeanorder
From:Peter Harris
It has come to my attention that you believe putting Juvenile deliquent offenders in adult Court is the right way to go.I must say, I can not agree with you completly.There must be some degrees of offense before considering putting a juvenile in the adult court system.Your statement leads me to believe you want to put all juvenile offenders in Adult court.This would be a grave mistake.Juveniles range from all age groups.I believe anyone under the age of 16 should not be put in an adult court.Anyone sixteen or older who commits a status offense such as rape,murder,kidnapping or any other extreme offense should face adult charges.However there are a handful of juveniles who are too young to understand their actions to the fullest exstent even if it is a heinous crime.Housing juveniles in adult prisons would destroy what little sanity they may have before they are in teh adult system.Not to they would be victimized by adult inmates and perhaps staff. Mr. Lawanorder the only real argument I have with your proposal is their is no seperation of ages and offenses that would fall under the adult court system.
2.I do believe there is a place in the Adult court for Juveniles.Some offenses by juveniles can not be properly handles by a juvenile court.If someone that is 16 years or older murders someone I cant see a juvenile solution for an adult problem.When the juvenile court system was developed Im pretty sure it did not believe it would be faced with children and teens commiting Heinous crimes.Juvenile diversion is a good way to seperate the real juvenile criminals from those who will age out or dont commit heinous crimes.This will allow further screening of juveniles in order to make a better decision on whether the teen need adult court or juvenile court,a punishment or releasing to parent or gaurdians.The Criteria assesed is as fallows:First offender,a non violent offender,drug or alchol dependent,status offender.This way we can better filter the juvenile deliquents through juvenile and adult court channels.
TO: Harry Lawanorder
(St.Representative
DATE: May 03,2007
SUBJECT:Juvenile & adult court
FROM: Kya Earley
I wanted to enlighten you on my opinion on the subject of juveniles learning their lessons if sent to adult court. I believe that every case should be handled individually. We can not put all cases in the same boat because if we there is a chance that all cases will have the same outcome. These results might not always fit the crime and that is why we have to handle them in a case by case form. We can't think or loose hope for every juvenile that commits a crime. We have to look at the person, there crime and there environment. These aspects could be a giant part on whether a person has the possiblitiy re-offend. Just because you have your belief doesn't make it believable you have to have facts to support them. The facts that suppport that your belief is not accurate can be found on page 437/438, " Basing waiver decisions on type and seriousness of offense rather than on the rehabilitative needs of the child has advanced the criminalization of the juvenile court and interfered with its traditional mission of treatment and rehabilitation. And despite this sacrifice, there is little evidence that strict waiver policies can lower crime rates. While it is true that some juvenile offenders commit crimes that deserve punishment, and that rehabilitation programs will not be effective with all juveniles, that fact remains that most kids who remain in the juvenile justice system do not become adult offenders."
Harry Lawanorder:
I am writing you this memo to discuss my views on your firm belief of transferring juvenile offenders to adult court in order to lessen juvenile crime. In all honesty, I do not think that it is a good idea to transfer juveniles to adult courts. There are many negative outcomes that can occur from this process. These outcomes can include a strong stigma towards the juvenile. By labeling them as an adult offender, it may "severely impair their future educational, employment, and other opportunities." But that's just long-term. A more rapid problem produced by this movement is that by transferring juveniles to adult court, it can interrupt the rehabilitation option. Among other reasons, "there is little evidence that strict waiver policies can lower crime rates." The only reasoning that I can think of to back up your theory is the mere hope that more juveniles will realize that they have a chance of being charged as an adult in an adult and think twice before they commit their wrongdoing. But how many juveniles think twice about anything?? I think you should reconsider where you stand on your belief. Thank you.
Dan Goldstein
2. My view is basically rewording my memo to Harry Lawanorder. I think that the practice of transferring juveniles to be tried as adults in adult courts is strictly assisnine. Because at first, it does advance criminalization, and the rehabilitation processes will be interrupted or non-existent which may cause the juvenile to commit another crime. And I can understand that in the long story of the juvenile's life, they will have difficulties going through normal milestones of life such as education and employment. They say on applications that just because you committed a crime, you won't be automatically barred from receiving what you're applying for. I don't believe a word of that, but even if it was true. When the people see that the juvenile was treated as an adult for a committed crime, his chances on receiving anything are slim to none. I do not favor this practice one bit.
Dear mr. harry Laeanorder, after I read the text and really thought about it and I think and believe that sending that children to adult court for serious crimes is effective is some aspects. an example would be for the child to learn that the court systems are not playing games and that they want to see the kids doing sometyhing better with their time. they are getting tough and they want the children of our socitey to learn from theri mistakes and learn to follow the law. but the adult court systems do not have any emotional and psychological support for the teens that need it. I think that the childeren need some type of rehab. It will help lessen the number of the juvenile offenders in the court system. on the other hand I do think that more thought has to be put into for the process becasue When the children do serve theri time they come out of jail much worser than they were when they came into the jail. I agree with the author of the book when it statets" labeling children as adult offenders early in life may seriously impair their future educational emoployment and other opportunities."
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