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Caitlin Cottman

Angela Gilbert

English 3

25 April 2018

Children Being Tried As Adults

Do you want juvenile crime to reduce? Some do some don’t because the consequences

juveniles could face, but does it teach them a lesson and improve society? Children being tried as

adults should be continued in the United States.

Some people believe that putting young children in adult prison brings them lack of hope.

While others say it brings justice for extreme crimes. “While juveniles may be kids, they should

have the ability to distinguish right from wrong, especially in extreme circumstances”(Flow

Psychology). Doing this also reduces the crime rate “When kids are being tried as adults, it

discourages them from doing unlawful acts”(Crystal Lombardo). While it reduces crime it

teaches accountability as well. “Punishing them for their wrongdoings teaches them

accountability, which they can bring with them until they grow old”(Crystal Lombardo).

Some people also believe it’s unfair for them to be charged as an adult because criminal

records follow. Others disagree and say a crime is a crime and they shouldn’t have to worry

about age. “But when juveniles are tried as adults, this enables the courts to focus on the crime,

not on the age of the suspect”(Crystal Lombardo). While it focuses on crime not age then it

shows the crime not being sugar coated. “When there is no sufficient correction or punishment

afforded to every offense, it fosters the belief that the offense done is acceptable or tolerable.

Crime has to
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pay”(Crystal Lombardo). While others say it gives justice to the victims and their loved ones.

“There may be some offenses that are forgivable, but for extreme cases like murder, just

punishment must be given to the offenders. It is a way for a victim’s family to gain peace or

reconciliation, especially since they cannot get their loved one who was taken from them

back”(Future Of Working).

There are a lot more pros than cons when trying children as adults. “A juvenile who is

tried as an adult could end up being scared straight, which will deter them from continuing to

break the law. Spending a few nights in jail around hardened criminals can often be the wake up

call that a juvenile offender needs in order to realize the error of their ways and make the

necessary changes to their lifestyle”(Economics Blog). This would help crime reduce because

sending them there would hopefully scare them and make them not want to go back. When

trying to limit juvenile crime it’s better to attack it head on letting juveniles know there are harsh

punishments for their actions, this could possibly decrease the crime rate and make society a

better place. “A juvenile who knows that they will be punished for their crimes is far less likely

to commit them. Other juveniles who may be considering committing a crime will also view the

harsh punishment of their peers as a powerful deterrent”(Apecsecadmin). Juveniles may be

young, but when it comes to a crime it shouldn’t matter what age you are a crime is a crime and

there’s always a punishment. “Typically, juveniles who display a propensity for committing

crime will continue to do so, even as they get older. Their crimes may even become more serious

in nature. The victim still suffers, even if the perpetrator is a juvenile”(Apecsecadmin).

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 Trying children as adults is a tremendous idea, it should be continued in the United

States. Considering all of the evidence provided, charging children as adults does help reduce the

crime rate of juveniles. Society is improved when juveniles are held accountable for their crimes.

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Work Cited
“8 Advantages and Disadvantages of Juveniles Being Tried As Adults.” FutureofWorking.com,

futureofworking.com/8-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-juveniles-being-tried-as-

adults/.

“10 Pros and Cons of Juveniles Being Tried As Adults.” Grimag,

flowpsychology.com/10-pros-and-c-of-juveniles-being-tried-as-adults/.ons

“Apecsecadmin.” Apecsecorg, 16 Apr. 2015,

apecsec.org/pros-and-cons-of-juveniles-being-tried-as-adults/.

Gomez, Dayana Morales. “Two 13-Year-Old Girls Are Being Tried As Adults. Here's Why That

Matters.” The Huffington Post, TheHuffingtonPost.com, 3 Jan. 2017,

www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/slenderman-youth-adults-prison-

wisconsin_us_55cbc70ce4b0cacb8d32ee35.

Greengarageblogadmin. “7 Top Pros and Cons of Juveniles Being Tried As Adults.” Green

Garage, 6 Aug. 2015,

greengarageblog.org/7-top-pros-and-cons-of-juveniles-being-tried-as-adults.

Lombardo, Crystal. “Pros and Cons of Juveniles Being Tried As Adults.” Vision Launch, 15 Jan.

2017, visionlaunch.com/pros-and-cons-of-juveniles-being-tried-as-adults/.

Michon, Kathleen, and J.D. “When Juveniles Are Tried in Adult Criminal Court.”

Www.nolo.com,

www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/juveniles-youth-adult-criminal-court-32226.html.