Due Process...?

Question

Just two questions on due process:

-Should young people under the age of eighteen have the same due process rights as adults? Why or why not?

-Why is it important to assure procedural due process for people accused of serious crimes? How does protecting the rights for the accused also protect the rights of law-abiding citizens? Explain.

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Seen an old western, where they think someone is guilty and just hang him? Due process is for the protection of the innocent. It applies to all accused because you are presumed innocent until found guilty. That is why.

As you youths, they are not tried in court, but adjudicated. If you are tried in court, as an adult they get the same due process rights as an adult.