Andrew Lorek Argumentative Essay

In 2009, a 14-year old boy shot and killed an innocent bystander riding a bicycle down Chicago Brighton Park. When, later a 15-year-old boy named Andrew Lorek also committed the same murder crime. These heinous acts of manslaughter were to be proven worthy for their gang. Both teens pleaded guilty, but because Andrew Lorek turned fifteen two weeks prior from the offense, he was sentenced to adult court, where his actions caused him to face 28 years in prison. He was due to be released when he is 43. On the other hand, the other boy who was 14, was handled in juvenile court where he was set to have a rehabilitation intervention process and was set to regain his freedom after he turns 21. Andrew Lorek, serving his eighth year in prison, has confessed that, "There's no justifying what I've done," he said. "I deserve punishment for my crime...If I knew what I know now, I

wouldn't have joined the gang. It's not worth dying over a fading color,” (Lorek).
In today’s society, rapists, murderers, and other criminals are let go by the system every day only serving a few years, and even a few months of punishment. The juvenile court system grants these adolescents a second chance to regain and persevere a new life. They would like them to change their old habits, and also “develop” their immature brains. However, a controversy issue that teens face is whether or not should juveniles be charged as adults if they commit heinous crimes. The answer is yes; Teens should be held accountable for their actions because they can have the cognitive process to plan, to execute, and to succeed through the decisions they make through everyday life.
In the Article, “Startling Finds On Teenage Brains,” by Paul Thompson, he asserts that through his research, at the University of California, Los Angeles, him and his colleagues at the National Institutions of Health have developed technology to map the patterns of brain growth. He states,
[Basically, the brain is like a puzzle, it grows fast, but what caught our eye was the massive loss of brain tissue that occurs in our teenage years. This loss creates gray matter that is purged through our brain in areas controlling impulses, risk taking, and self-control. With this data, the reason for underdeveloped brains is the outcome of why teens inhibit their violent passions and bizarre behaviors]. (Thompson 89)
In recognition of Thompson's claim, some advocates disagree with him. One author who refutes this claim and does not agree with the idea of ‘underdevelopment” of teenage brains is Jennifer Jenkins.
In the Article, “On punishment and Teenage Killers,” by Jennifer Jenkins, she argues that teens that commit heinous crimes like murder should go to prison regardless of their age. That brain development is not the reason why teens commit these horrific crimes. She states that “There are advocates who wish to minimize these offender’s culpability simply because of their age... If brain development were the reason, then teens would kill at roughly the same rates all over the world. They don’t” (Jenkins). Since a 16-year-old man brutally murdered her sister and her sister husband, it has led her to complement the advocates that are with the JLWOP ( Juvenile Life Without Parole). In acknowledgment to Jenkins claims, a connection allows seeing eye to eye with her allegations. The cognitive process of teens in which to determine what is right from wrong is clearly there. Teens are developed enough to plan, execute, and succeed through the decisions they make. So why must we believe that the underdevelopment of brains is the answer of why teens should not be subjected to adult court and punishments. Teens are smart enough to know types of actions that could place them in the hell hole. But On the other hand, How young is too young? What defines an adult? What defines a minor?.
Trying juveniles as adults may deter them from backsliding from old habits.

So by punishing juveniles as adults, the others may come to the conclusion that it is not so easy to cut loose once being prosecuted as an adult. They will realize this is the real world, and that It may not be another “slap on the wrist” the next time. Teens will realize there will be no special consideration because of their age. In the article, “In Prison, Teenagers Become Prey,” by T.J Parsell, he explains using ethos, logos, and pathos to describe how some teens who become incarcerated end up killing themselves due to the fact of how horrific and traumatizing it is in jail. He states, “Most juveniles who serve time are eventually released. They will either be traumatized from sexual assault or hyper-violent from having learned to fend off the threat” (Parsell). Although teens are too “young” for prison, many still believe that life lessons will be obtained throughout the years of their punishment. It will teach them to be responsible and to think before they act. One author who believes in adult punishment is

Edward.
In the article, “Paying Time for Committing Crime,” by Edward, he clarifies how juvenile crimes are plaguing our cities every day, and that we must take action now so we can start making changes in our society. The longer we wait, the increase of juvenile crimes will, rise, and more lives will be at state. In the words of Governor Pete Wilson, He asserts,
We have to act decisively to retake our neighborhoods… If we are to sincerely make an effort to keep cities safer, all of America has to understand that youth may not be adults, but they are certainly capable of committing crimes...Thus There should be no reason to treat them differently. Although second chances will come accordingly, accountability should come first. It's not about giving children second chances. It's about making them responsible for their actions. (Wilson)
In correspondence to this claim, teens should be tried as adults, but the severity of the crime should be equal to the punishment. Teens should not be viewed through their actions as criminals, but at the same time, if a minor decides to make a life-changing decision where it can affect someone or something, they should have to suffer the consequence.
Above all, the culpability of a teen is not that far from an adult. Teens know what is right from wrong, and they understand the consequences that can be held. Teens should be subjected to adult crimes, but the severity of the crime should be determined for the punishment. A rehabilitation process should be granted for these minors to get them clean and out of harm's way. But If we allow a teenager to be prosecuted as an adult, The knowledge of more understanding and responsibility will be acquired through their sentences. These punishments are not only for their safety but the public's safety as well. Therefore, if they are old enough to do the crime, they are old of enough to do time.