Juvenile was transferred to adult court.

Full Answer Section

• • This trend is very controversial.
• Concerns About Negative Impacts:
  • Research indicates that transferring juveniles to the adult criminal justice system can have detrimental effects, including increased recidivism, higher risks of abuse, and negative impacts on mental health and development.
  • Juveniles in adult systems lack access to rehabilitative services available in juvenile systems.
  • There are concerns about racial disparities in transfer decisions.
• Arguments for Transfer:
  • Arguments for transfer often center on the severity of the crime and public safety concerns.
  • Some argue that certain juveniles who commit heinous crimes should be held accountable as adults.
  • Some argue that it is a deterent.
• Juvenile vs. Adult Systems:
  • The juvenile justice system generally emphasizes rehabilitation, while the adult system focuses on punishment.
  • Developmental differences between juveniles and adults are crucial considerations.

Opinion:

The practice of transferring juveniles to adult court raises significant ethical and practical concerns. While there are instances of juveniles committing extremely violent crimes, the research strongly suggests that this practice often does more harm than good.

Here's why:

• Developmental Immaturity:
  • Juveniles' brains are still developing, making them more susceptible to impulsive behavior and less capable of fully understanding the consequences of their actions.
  • Therefore, they should be given a higher chance of rehabilitation.
• Increased Recidivism:
  • Studies show that juveniles tried as adults are more likely to re-offend.
  • This undermines public safety and creates a cycle of crime.
• Risk of Abuse and Trauma:
  • Juveniles in adult prisons are at a significantly higher risk of physical and sexual abuse.
  • This can cause lasting trauma and further contribute to criminal behavior.
• Lack of Rehabilitation:
  • Adult prisons often lack the rehabilitative programs that juveniles need to address the underlying causes of their behavior.
  • This leaves them ill-prepared to re-enter society.

Instead of focusing on punitive measures, the emphasis should be on rehabilitation and addressing the root causes of juvenile crime. This includes:

• Providing access to mental health services.
• Offering educational and vocational programs.
• Creating supportive environments that promote positive development.

While there may be rare cases where transfer is deemed necessary, it should be a last resort, not a first option.

It is very important that any decision to move a juvenile to the adult system, is done with extreme care, and only after all other options have been exhausted.

Sample Answer

It's important to approach the topic of juveniles being tried as adults with sensitivity and a focus on the complexities involved. Here's information gathered from the search results, followed by an opinion:

Key Points and News Context:

• Increased Trend in Some Areas:
  • There are instances, and legislative changes, that are increasing the likelyhood of juveniles to be tried as adults. For example, recent changes in Tennessee law that allows 15 year olds to be tried as adults for certain non violent crimes.