Do you think there should be teen juries?

Answer 1

No. There's a reason that you have to be an adult to serve on a jury. Teens, in general, don't possess the rational and mature thought necessary to make objective decisions based on the evidence, and tend to go more with what their emotions are telling them, which cannot be done in a court case.

More life experience and maturity is required when making decisions that will affect someones entire life.

Answer 2

Here in Tyler, Texas, they have an actual Teen Court where teens are the judge, jury, prosecutor and defense attorney in their own cases and it is amazingly fair when it comes to punishment. There is of course an attorney who presides over each case to make sure that all decisions are within the law and to advise these kids on what the law is. But it is actually working here! This is of course cases that have been put before a real judge and he/she has determined that it should be sent to "teen court." These are never felonies, but only misdemeanors that are sent to this court.

These juries and such are made up of other teen offenders who where also tried and punished in the teen court system and this is part of paying their debt to society after all other requirements of their punishment have been met. It started out of course as adults making these decisions. But there were jury members to pay and a judge and attorneys. The presiding attorney does this now on a volunteer basis. It can and does work!!!

Answer 3

I have seen teen juries used for juvenile offenses, and I think it can be very effective, depending on how the jury is selected. The one I saw was composed of all the members of the classroom, and not selected out of a larger group. If selected, it would have to be with the same duty to serve as practiced in the adult court. You would not get a "jury of your peers" any other way.

I have only seen it used in schools. To do this in the criminal justice system would be difficult for logistic reasons. It's so hard to enforce the rules about jury duty among adults. It would be even harder with teens, where forcing compliance would be so much more complicated. What of someone whose parents forbid them to serve on a jury? And when would the court be held, that the teens would not lose too much time from school?

Also, I think the judge would have to be especially adroit in such cases, because he needs to have the power to over-rule a bad verdict, but he also needs to use it only for extremes. If, for example, the evidence is clear for acquittal, and the person is found guilty anyway, it could be because the person is unpopular. Teenagers do not always have a finely tuned sense of justice; they need to learn.

Answer 4

hmmm do you mean in like teen related cases? i think it depends on the case if murder NO but something trivial it might be a good idea. They do say a jury of your peers

Answer 5

It depends on what the jury is used for. For peer mediation for school related issues, they work. For criminal charges, including traffic tickets or ordinance violations no.

Answer 6

Teen period is trial vs real one. Rather mending status. Even simple advices are not heeded. Hence no juries.. else only INJURIES

Answer 7

No!Teens are not set in their minds stabily.They are influenced to much by whats hot now.The law is the law.We need to find our descisions based on the law and not how we feel.We all know as teenagers we base things more upon how we feel.

Answer 8

Please, you talk to half the teens and they actually feel sorry for criminals . They think that panhandlers , vagrants and squeegee kids are being harassed.You shouldn't be allowed to vote until you are 25 even.

Answer 9

No I don't.