Analysis: Should Minors Be Tried As Adults

Should Minors Be Tried as Adults?

In one perspective we see children as innocent and fragile members of society, who need guidance to become product citizens. We say we understand children need this guidance because they are not mature enough to understand the significance of their actions, or that they don’t understand the enormity of what of what have done or how it has hurt others. “What kind of twisted message do we send when we tell youth they are judged mature, responsible adults when they commit murder, but silly, brainless kids when they want to vote?”

In “Kids and Crimes: Should juveniles who commit serious crimes be treated as adults?” Harlan Protass who wrote the article points out, “We…show more content…
I think kids are very intelligent. They can play the legal system in their favor. With the right attorney, they can basically argue that they didn't know what they were doing, or that they were somehow influenced by the television, as in the Mortal Kombat tragedy. While they will be still found guilty, and rightly so, mind you--they will be sent off to Juvenile Detention, instead of adult prison, where they belong. By 21, some of them will be walking the streets again, their records expunged. Some of them will go on to become your children's teachers, day care employees, social workers, and so on. Let's make it clear: I would not want one of my kids to be taught by one of the girls in that video.

Works Cited

Colb, Sherry. "High court reconsidering execution of minors." cnn.com. 06 Oct. 2004. Web. 30 Nov. 2009.

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Koolbreeze III, Angus. "Should Minors Be Tried as Adults: How Kids Play the Age Card to Get Sympathy." Associated Content. 18 Apr. 2008. Web. 30 Nov. 2009.

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Liptak, Adam. "Researchers Find Many Younger Juveniles Lack Competence to Stand Trial as Adults." The New York Times. 30 Nov. 2009. Web. 30 Nov. 2009.

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McCrea, Hannah. "A Double Standard for American Juveniles." The Seminal. 07 Jun. 2007. Web. 30 Nov. 2009.

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O'Neil, Lindsey. "Children charged with murder ... should be tried as adults?." Lead Counsel Corner. 14 Nov. 2008. Web. 30 Nov. 2009.