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In reply to the discussion: Should a 13-year old murderer be tried as an adult? [View all]Tierra_y_Libertad
(50,414 posts)58. International Juvenile Justice Practices
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trial_as_an_adult
The United States is one of few countries in the world where children can be tried as adults. For example, China will not prosecute any child under age 14 for any crime; Egypt does not hold any person under age 15 criminally responsible for crimes committed; and Albania does not try anyone in criminal court for crimes committed before age 18. In countries where prosecution of juveniles is possible, punishments and sentences are usually much less severe than those imposed in the United States. To illustrate, the sentence of life without parole for juveniles is a punishment only available in the United States.
Short-term consequences
Researchers found that juveniles housed in adult facilities are
5 times more likely to be sexually assaulted than youth held in juvenile detention centers[34]
2 times more likely to be beaten by staff than youth held in juvenile detention centers[34]
4.6 times more likely to commit suicide than the general adolescent population[35]
7.7 times more likely to commit suicide than adolescents in juvenile detention centers[35]
Additionally, juveniles who witness violence during incarceration, which is more likely in adult facilities, are less likely to be deterred from future crime.[15]
Long-term consequences
Juveniles whose cases were seen in criminal court were more likely to reoffend and to reoffend sooner than matched samples of juveniles whose cases were seen in juvenile court.[36][37]
Executions of juveniles
Since the reinstatement of the death penalty in 1976, 22 offenders have been executed in the United States for crimes committed during adolescence.[6][38] However, in 2005 the juvenile death penalty was abolished, and cited as cruel and unusual punishment following the ruling of the Supreme Court in Roper v. Simmons.[16]
The United States is one of few countries in the world where children can be tried as adults. For example, China will not prosecute any child under age 14 for any crime; Egypt does not hold any person under age 15 criminally responsible for crimes committed; and Albania does not try anyone in criminal court for crimes committed before age 18. In countries where prosecution of juveniles is possible, punishments and sentences are usually much less severe than those imposed in the United States. To illustrate, the sentence of life without parole for juveniles is a punishment only available in the United States.
Short-term consequences
Researchers found that juveniles housed in adult facilities are
5 times more likely to be sexually assaulted than youth held in juvenile detention centers[34]
2 times more likely to be beaten by staff than youth held in juvenile detention centers[34]
4.6 times more likely to commit suicide than the general adolescent population[35]
7.7 times more likely to commit suicide than adolescents in juvenile detention centers[35]
Additionally, juveniles who witness violence during incarceration, which is more likely in adult facilities, are less likely to be deterred from future crime.[15]
Long-term consequences
Juveniles whose cases were seen in criminal court were more likely to reoffend and to reoffend sooner than matched samples of juveniles whose cases were seen in juvenile court.[36][37]
Executions of juveniles
Since the reinstatement of the death penalty in 1976, 22 offenders have been executed in the United States for crimes committed during adolescence.[6][38] However, in 2005 the juvenile death penalty was abolished, and cited as cruel and unusual punishment following the ruling of the Supreme Court in Roper v. Simmons.[16]
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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