Should children who commit horrible crimes such as murder be tried as an adult?

Question

why or why not??

Answer 1

Yes and more times than not they are.

In every state there are provisions in place to charge juveniles who have committed certain part one crimes as adults. They can be adjudicated and when convicted be placed in juvenile detention until they are 18 years of age and then transferred to adult prison to finish their sentence.

There is a percentage of society that is just plain born evil. No matter what the bleeding hearts out there say. I have met 15 year old's that are cold blood killers that need to be and have been put away for life.

Why? For the protection of society. Sure, its sad to see a young life wasted. But, when you have a 'kid' that goes on a gang rape and murder spree, that is a 'kid' that needs to be put away for life.

Answer 2

Tricky subject. I don't think a 10 or 12 year old, should be tried as an adult. I don't think they have the mental capacity and the social skills to fully understand the long term consequences for their actions either. But they should be locked up until they are proven to be rehabilitated, no free pass for juvies.

I also don't think 17 years and 364 days makes a minor and 18 years makes an adult. Every situation should be evaluated for the individual. Their are some 16 and 17 year olds that are far from children in their ability to carry out "adult" crimes.

Answer 3

Depends on the age of the child.

If a 7 year old murdered someone - I would say charge them as a child. Most likely a 7 year old is not old enough to really appreciate their actions and the results of those actions.

If a 16 year old murdered someone- they are old enough to know right from wrong - to understand what the consequences of their actions are -and should not get a free pass just because they are 2 years from being a legal adult.

Answer 4

Yes.

Just reverse your question. Should children who commit horrible crimes such as murder be released into society as adults (21) to commit their horrible crimes all over again? Why or why not.

Answer 5

There are a lot of factors that come into play here:

The seriousness of the offense, how the offense was committed (in a violent, aggresssive, or pre-meditated manner), wether the offense involved other parties (vitims), the likelihood of a conviction, the maturity of the juvenile (determined by consideration of many factors), and the record or previous history of the offender.

Answer 6

Yes, cuz the juvenile system does nothing but give them a slap on the wrist. In my city, there is a 15 yr old with an extensive record (drugs, weapons, etc.) who shot and killed a young police officer in cold blood. Leaving a wife and young children without a father. Would YOU want this "kid" back on the street in 5 or 6 yrs when he turns 21? I sure as hell wouldnt.
If they can commit adult crimes, they can do adult time.

Answer 7

Good question! In 1998, two boys, aged, I believe, 13 and 11 shot and killed 4 students and 1 teacher at Westside School in Jonesboro, AR.
Because of their age at the time, they were both tried in juvenile court. Both are now of age, and free. I find that a bit scary, do you?

Answer 8

Definitely yes. However, the punichments given to adults may be too harsh, so each case should be looked at on an individual basis.

Answer 9

i do no longer understand the share, yet an adolescent would desire to be tried as an grownup if the crime is severe adequate. If an adolescent takes a existence no longer out of self protection, and knows that they did so, then they teen would desire to be tried as an grownup. They understand what they did is erroneous and consequently would desire to be dealt with as an grownup who made an identical mistake.

Answer 10

If they know the difference between right and wrong and can articulate it, they should be charged as adults. This can come as early as 10.