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Recommended: Should juvenile penalties be different from adults

Every year, in the U.S alone, approximately over five hundred thousand violent crimes are committed. In 2008, seventy-three thousand of these violent crimes were committed by juveniles. When you hear about murderers, rapists, and other criminals, automatically, your mind set wants these criminals sentenced to prison for a very long time. There is no second guessing when it comes to these extreme criminals, they should be punished for the severe crimes committed. Now, lets say the criminal was a fifteen year old, suddenly people begin to question if giving them the same sentencing as an “adult” would be appropriate. Many will say it is wrong to try a juvenile as an adult for various reasons, but by committing these violent crimes they stopped being children and should be tried as adults. Regardless of the age, criminals are criminals and they should all be tried the same, age does not define adulthood. Juvenile crimes are no different from adult crimes, teens know the difference between wrong and right, ignorance and foolishness are two different things, if the criminal has the ability to plan out the crime then they will be prepared to do the time. Children as young as thirteen years old are being tried as adults and sentenced to die in prison. You may ask, “Doesn't that seem a bit too extreme?” Nevertheless,
the sentencing does is not nearly as extreme when compared to the crime committed. In one case three of five Florida teenagers, Denver Jarvis (15), Michael Bent (15) and Jesus Mendez (16), were accused of setting Michael Brewer (15) on fire over a $40 video game debt. The boys left young Brewer with severe burns over, what reporters claim to be, 65 percent of his body. These three boys attempted a harsh felony, second degr... ... middle of paper ... ...uveniles once they decide to make adult choices and act as one. To sum up, we can not accurately put a label on someone and call them an adult. Many people assume that because these ‘kids’ are under 18 they deserve special treatments. Wrong, do not let age blind you from the crime which was committed. These juveniles deserve the punishment which is thrown at them, they do not deserve an opportunity to get away with it and be happy, while the victim and or family is left to suffer. Think of it this way, your 14 year old son was murdered by two other 14 year old boys because your son would not let them borrow his homework. Yeah, tables changed now have they not? Adulthood can not be defined by a number, it should be based upon actions the individual takes. Juveniles should most definitely be tried as adults regardless of the age, the crime committed speaks for itself.

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