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In reply to the discussion: Should a 13-year old murderer be tried as an adult? [View all]Well said.
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I'm not sure that is the choice. Recent studies have found juveniles are punished MORE harshly
Iris
Oct 2012
#36
I suspect that's because victims of adult killers tend to be less sympathetic
ButterflyBlood
Oct 2012
#67
Agreed. A human life has been taken. Is that any less offensive because the murderer is 13?
CakeGrrl
Oct 2012
#49
They should be tried as children, even if that requires they be set free
Agnosticsherbet
Oct 2012
#63
13, 14, and 15 year old children are not physically, mentally, emotionally, or psychologically
Agnosticsherbet
Oct 2012
#89
yeah but, at 13, one knows that its wrong to... MURDER AN OLD LADY WITH A FUCKING HATCHET!
dionysus
Oct 2012
#91
I did not say innate goodnes...there is no evidence of that in the universe.
Agnosticsherbet
Oct 2012
#92
More like thirty or forty, according to some--and I think there's some validity there.
MADem
Oct 2012
#110
So a "hard 40" sentence, in kansas, means 40 years with no parole. You think the kid getting out...
Logical
Oct 2012
#39
A century or more ago, fifteen year olds were working full time as a matter of routine.
MADem
Oct 2012
#103
They shouldn't be tried as adults, but should receive the same sentence that an adult would
slackmaster
Oct 2012
#22
Well if you're going to sentence them as adults then what the hell is the point?
eqfan592
Oct 2012
#59
You treat the defendant as a child during the trial, and while incarcerated until age 18
slackmaster
Oct 2012
#79
Do you think a 5 year old doesn't know that it's wrong to hatchet an old woman to death? nt
greyl
Oct 2012
#44
Being 13 is not an excuse for what they did, its a mitigating factor to consider.
1-Old-Man
Oct 2012
#30
Children should be tried as children. On the other hand, I don't think that the juvenile justice...
JVS
Oct 2012
#45
For capital crimes, yes. Someone who killed an old woman with a hatchet cannot be reformed.
Pacafishmate
Oct 2012
#50
If they are old enough to drive,vote, consent for sex, buy alcohol,sign a contract then hell yes
Douglas Carpenter
Oct 2012
#51
I think the age to be tried as an adult should be lowered, but no one under that tried as an adult
ButterflyBlood
Oct 2012
#65
Never. If they were capable of being adults they would have the rights and responsibilities as such
TheKentuckian
Oct 2012
#68
Heinousness and excusablity seem like separate issues from trial in adult court to me...
HereSince1628
Oct 2012
#74
Definitely they s/b tried as adults. 13 is old enough to know NOT TO HATCHET PEOPLE!
valerief
Oct 2012
#80
I prefer the accused, especially juviniles, be called accused until they are tried.
Bluenorthwest
Oct 2012
#104
yep, we should do as in your country...take them aside and talk with them very seriously...
yawnmaster
Oct 2012
#138
They are not adults. A teenage brain has a lot of developing to do.
Exultant Democracy
Oct 2012
#133