Gianna Bianca 04/04/2013 Protecting the Children with Jessica’s Law Every two minutes in the United States, someone is sexually abused. 44% of these victims are under the age of 18 years old (CDC). These statistics are bold, but even worse – these crimes can be prevented. Crimes against children that involve sexual abuse can be prevented in one giant way: by keeping the predators in prison there they belong. This seems like a no brainer, however some judges and members of senate disagree that these illicit crimes are punishable by lengthy sentences and strict court conditions.
Others will hopefully learn from those mistakes and not do it. Why they shouldn’t be tried as adults? Kids who commit crimes are between the ages of 9 or 10. At, that age it is impossible for them to have the mental ability to plan or commit a crime yet alone understand the consequences of that action. An adult who commits a crime is punished for it and will remember it for the rest of their lives.
Sexually abused children are tormented by shame and guilt. They may feel that they are responsible for the abuse or somehow brought it upon themselves. This can lead to self-loathing and sexual problems as they grow older, often either they will have excessive sexual partners or an inability to have intimate relations. According to State of Nevada Division of Child and Family Services there is “approximately 100,000 cases of child sexual abuse are confirmed annually in the United States (State of Nevada Division of Child and Family Services). If a person is convicted of a sex crime depending on its severity will spend anywhere from 2 years to life in prison (Nevada Legislature,
For example, in the article “Should All Convicted Sex Offenders Be Required to Register?” by Josh Farley, the sex offender here was required to register as one for the sexual/mutual relationship he had with a minor while in his 30s. Okay, the child was under 18, but he is not to blame for a sexual relationship that both parties agreed to at the time. I hate to say it, but unfortunately a lot of children make these “grown-up” decisions without understanding the consequences, and to get them out of “trouble” they blame the “other guy”, which in most cases, like this one, the “other guy” is the one who pays because of what laws state. Even though the child knew what was going on and wanted to engage in a sexual relationship with this man, the adult gets charged because the child didn’t want to take responsibility so they used the easy way out and played victim. Of course one may argue, she was 15 and didn’t know what she was doing.
Do the courts take into effect the juvenile’s history and home life? There are approximately 2,600 inmates serving life without parole for committing crimes as juveniles (JLC, 2012). Statistics state that this large number of inmates it makes me think about what type of crimes they committed to receive such a punishment. Do these juvenile’s now adults think that because they have no possibility of parole means they should be rehabilitated since they are never getting out of prison? It’s sad to think that these juveniles could turn their life around and possibly be model citizens once back out in the population.
To some extent I agree with the idea that juveniles should be tried as an adult when they commit murder or any other heinous crime resulting in the life of another person; however, I disagree that all juveniles should be tried as adults due to the fact that their brains aren’t fully developed in the sense that the crimes they may commit are out of spontaneous action. Proposition 21 talks a lot about adolescents and whether it is right to try them as adults. In the case of many teens they commit crimes that may or may not be worth the adult punishment. In my opinion, it should only be okay to punish them as adults when they kill someone. Proposition 21 states that juveniles 14 or older charged with murder or any specified sex offenses require
The youths that are being tried in the adult courts should be offered to better themselves as for they are not fully developed at the ages under eighteen. Punishing a teen by taking away their rights for life is not helping the betterment of society. Another person in prison means more local taxes for another set of clothing, more food, and occasionally, more space to be built. A psychologist could benefit from these children who caused trouble, especially if the trouble was un intentional. Juveniles have greater possibility than adults to make a change in their lives with the right help with counseling and rehabilitation.
Well, when you have a battered animal and you can't show intent, there is something wrong with the justice system. B. You may be asking yourself why do we need felony animal cruelty laws if we already got some now? Th answer is simple, they need to be stricter with harsher punishments and rehabilitation. Putting someone in jail for a few months and thats it does nothing.
These responsibilities are a big step and an important part of the battle against child abuse. If people fail to report child abuse they are liable on conviction up to a fine of a thousand dollars. After a report is made a Children's Aid Society worker will investigate the case immediately, and they have the right to remove the child if the child is not safe. Any person who reports a case of child abuse does not have to reveal their identity for reasons of safety, although the Children's Aid Society does prefer to know who you are so that they can contact you for further information. If a person who has reported a case feels that their safety is threatened they will be provided with free legal
Although many people are against that, others have felt it was right even necessary. Yes teens make mistakes and do unnecessary things, but treating them as adult’s isn’t the right thing to do. Juveniles shouldn’t be punished as adults, because they’re still maturing and still have the mind of a child. Teenagers often don’t have the mind of an adult, so why try them as one? In Adam Liptak’s article “ Locked Away Forever” published in The New York Times he tells us of the case of Joe Sullivan, who was charged with sexually