There has long been debate over whether or not juveniles should be tried as adults in the criminal justice system. On one hand, proponents of trying juveniles as adults argue that severe crimes deserve severe punishments, and that juveniles who commit such crimes should be held accountable for their actions. On the other hand, those who oppose trying juveniles as adults argue that the youth of these individuals should be taken into consideration, as they may not fully understand the consequences of their actions and may be more amenable to rehabilitation. In this essay, I will argue that juveniles should not be tried as adults, as there are several compelling reasons to believe that this approach is not effective in addressing juvenile crime.
First and foremost, it is important to recognize that juveniles are not fully developed adults. The human brain continues to develop and change throughout adolescence and into young adulthood, and this has significant implications for decision-making and impulse control. Many experts believe that the adolescent brain is simply not capable of fully grasping the consequences of its actions in the same way that an adult brain is. This means that juveniles who commit crimes may not fully understand the gravity of their actions, and may be more amenable to rehabilitation than adults who have committed similar crimes.
Additionally, there is evidence to suggest that trying juveniles as adults is not an effective deterrent to future crime. Research has shown that juveniles who are tried as adults are more likely to reoffend than those who are tried in the juvenile justice system. This is likely due to the fact that the juvenile justice system is better equipped to address the underlying issues that may have led to the juvenile's criminal behavior, such as substance abuse or mental health issues. In contrast, the adult criminal justice system is more focused on punishment and deterrence, and may not adequately address these underlying issues.
Another reason to oppose trying juveniles as adults is that it can have significant negative impacts on the individuals involved. Juveniles who are tried as adults may be housed in adult correctional facilities, where they may be at greater risk of physical and sexual assault. Additionally, a criminal record can have long-lasting consequences for an individual's future prospects, including employment and housing opportunities. For these reasons, it is important to consider the long-term consequences of trying juveniles as adults, rather than simply focusing on punishment in the short-term.
In conclusion, there are several compelling reasons to oppose trying juveniles as adults in the criminal justice system. Juveniles are not fully developed adults and may not fully understand the consequences of their actions, trying juveniles as adults is not an effective deterrent to future crime, and it can have significant negative impacts on the individuals involved. Instead of trying juveniles as adults, we should focus on rehabilitation and addressing the underlying issues that may have contributed to their criminal behavior.