Discussion on Whether Juveniles Should Be Tried as Adults in Court

The History and Evolution of the Criminal Justice System

The criminal justice system has a long history, dating back to the 1700s. In the olden days, criminals were tried similarly regardless of their age. There was no differentiation between minors and adults, as no mechanism had been put in place to distinguish these two groups of individuals. Jails and prisons housed mixtures of both adult and minor criminals, which posed significant risks to minors. Their mechanisms for coping are not similar to those of adults. As a result, there was a need to have minors and adults tried separately for the benefit of the minors' well-being. Subsequent reforms and amendments in legislation made it paramount for minors to be tried differently from adults. For several reasons, juveniles should not be tried as adults in court. Juveniles are in their development and transition from teenage life, and they may not fully understand the consequences of their actions. Child development is reliant on social, environmental, and daily interactions.

The Influence of Environment on Juvenile Behavior

Children learn how they will behave as adults from the environments they are raised in (McCord & Crowell, 2001). Essentially, the development of delinquent behaviors among juveniles is minimal in environments that discourage involvement in criminal activities. However, in environments with a high prevalence of criminal activities, the delinquency rate among juveniles is quite high. In most cases, children reach adulthood before they engage in serious delinquent behavior, as their behaviors are easily identified by their guardians or parents, and preventive measures are taken earlier on. Similarly, teenagers often lack comprehensive knowledge of existing laws and the offenses defined in various pieces of legislation. What may be considered an offense could simply be a child fulfilling their curiosity. For example, young boys might try marijuana to experience the high feeling, unaware of the legal implications. Therefore, when they are involved in crimes, they should not be tried as adults in court. Juveniles are still in the process of development, and at this stage, they learn from adults.

The Risks of Trying Juveniles as Adults

Mixing adults and children in the same court poses a significant risk to the behavior of juveniles. When growing up, minors tend to imitate virtually everything from the adults who are close to them. In most cases, adults are more likely to commit serious and grave offenses compared to child offenders. Therefore, when both are put together during the trial, juveniles may learn what constitutes serious crimes and attempt to implement these actions in real life. In court, adults may view the process as a form of freedom denial, which can lead to aggressive behavior. Juveniles tried alongside adults might copy this behavior. For children in the juvenile system, the process is seen as an approach toward correcting their bent behaviors. Research points out that children tried alongside adults are more likely to re-offend than those tried in a separate juvenile justice system. This stems from the fact that children will always try to implement what they have learned from adults who are closer to them (Cicourel, 2017). Therefore, juveniles should be tried in their separate court system.

The Inadequacy of the Adult Criminal Justice System for Juveniles

The criminal justice system is not well-structured to handle juvenile offenders. From trial to incarceration, it is apparent that the adult system of trial is not designed to cater to the interests of juvenile offenders. Primarily, the criminal justice system should be used to deter, rehabilitate, and prohibit one's involvement in criminal activities. However, this is not the case, as the adult justice system serves more as a punitive measure for the offenses committed. The staff working in the adult criminal justice system often have little or no training on how to handle juveniles. When tried alongside adults, juvenile offenders will not benefit from the rehabilitative and supportive focus that the juvenile justice system offers. The juvenile justice system focuses on rehabilitation, training, treatment, and securing the interests of minors—conditions not provided in the adult justice system. When taken through juvenile courts, young offenders are more likely to reform and become useful members of society since they receive supportive youth services. Due to the safe conditions in the juvenile justice system, young offenders are cared for until they have fully transformed. By the time of their release, they have usually reformed and become patriotic citizens. This makes it necessary to have juveniles tried separately from adult offenders.

The Economic Implications of Juvenile Trials

The trial of juveniles in adult facilities increases the state's expenditure on rehabilitation facilities. According to the National Juvenile Justice Network, there are more than 250,000 juveniles going through trial. This number burdens taxpayers, as statistics indicate that about $39 billion is spent on offenders each year. Including minors in the adult justice system further increases this budget. It's worth noting that juveniles are rarely involved in violent crimes, and trying them in juvenile court will expedite their sentencing. As is often the case, most young offenders receive non-custodial sentences and are not under the state's watch, which reduces expenditure on the justice system compared to if both adults and juveniles were tried in the same court. The money saved can be redirected toward assisting youth in other ways. This highlights the importance of having separate trials for juveniles and adults. In essence, the system of trying adults and juveniles in the same court should be a thing of the past. The criminal justice system should aim at safeguarding the interests of juveniles by having them tried in a separate court. This stems from the fact that children are in their developmental stage, need protection and care, and it saves taxpayers' money.

References

• McCord, J., & Crowell, N. A. (2001). Juvenile Crime, Juvenile Justice. National Academy Press.
• Cicourel, A. V. (2017). The Social Organization of Juvenile Justice. Routledge.