1. Death penalty
I believe that any young person who is legally able to view violence and who is looked at by the law as able to view that same violence should be held responsible for criminal acts that he/she may commit. People that are capable of telling right from wrong which anyone over the age of 13 should well be able to do, should know that what they are doing is wrong and therefore is responsible. Any person 16 years old or older charged with a capital offense, a Class A felony, a felony which involves the use of a deadly weapon or a felony which has as an element that causes death or serious physical injury or involving the serious physical injury, use of a dangerous instrument against a law enforcement officer, a judicial official, etc., and trafficking in drugs is tried as an adult. I believe that this is the best way to discourage the continuance of underage crime. It gives other underage criminals a reason to think twice about what they are doing.
Many people believe that just because a child is not technically an adult in the eyes of the law this makes it ok for them to commit heinous crimes and not receive the same and rightful punishment as adults who commit the same crimes. Although there is a basis for this argument it a slightly skewed one that places much too much emphasis on the fact that these children are not "adults", meaning the have not reached the age looked on by our law as being legally of age. This technicality is an unfortunate part of our justice system that can allow young criminals freedom based solely because they are under a certain age. I consider this a travesty of justice and something that needs to be more case sensitive. If the situation calls for a severe punishment then this is what must be done regardless of age.
When a child 14 years of age or older commits an act which would constitute a crime the district attorney may petition the juvenile court to transfer the youth to the adult court for criminal prosecution.
Overall, each article provides separate interpretations that intermingle or conflict on the debate of the death penalty for youth. ... These stricter policies and punishments have given rise to an increase in death penalty sentencing and life in prison for youth. ... Cothern profiles the youth affected by the death penalty and discusses that prior to execution many of the youth have entered adulthood. ... Cothern presents the point of view in opposition to the death penalty for youth with the argument that the juvenile justice system contradicts the foundation and purpose for separating the ...
The death penalty does not give people a second chance to chance and that is the most important reason why it should be stopped. ... The death penalty does not stop people from what they do because they believe in it or if they do something when they are not in control. ... Those countries that have death penalty argue that it is necessary for a number of reasons. ... If the reason why there is the death penalty is revenge, then the people who support this are as bad as the offenders themselves. ... Instead of death penalty, there are many other replacements for it, and on of these methods...
With this change, more youth capital offenders are subject to death penalty sentencing. ... Justice Powell, in writing for the majority, stated: "youth is more than a chronological fact. ... Justice O'Connor concurred, but pointed out that Oklahoma's death penalty statute set no minimum age at which the death penalty could be imposed. ... In both cases, the Supreme Court upheld the death penalty sentence. ... In 61 of the 91 cases (67 percent), one or more factors in addition to "youth" were present. ...
The Federal Government has imposed the death penalty against American Indian children for crimes they committed as young as ten years old (The National coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty). ... However in a time where juvenile offenses are becoming more violent and gangs, guns and drugs are more prevalent; the courts are becoming less tolerant of youth offenders. ... The US Supreme Court has upheld the use of the death penalty for youth over sixteen. There are many arguments that support the use of the death penalty for juveniles. ... Others, however, argue that the death penalty is...
Also thrown into the mix is the issue of the death penalty for juveniles. ... The greatest costs of the death penalty are incurred prior to and at trial, not in post-conviction proceedings. ... Even if all post-conviction proceedings were abolished, the death penalty system would still be more expensive than the alternative. Aside from the deterrence myth and astronomical costs of the death penalty, it is important to consider the mindset of a juvenile who commits even the most egregious act. ... Their "Color of Justice" study is only the tip of the iceberg when we consider the ramificatio...
Death penalty sentences a human to death and involves various methods to inflict death to the criminal. ... History of Death Penalty Death penalty has prevailed in our societies since a very long time. ... The most notorious death execution in B.C. was about 399 B.C. when the Greek philosopher Socrates was required to drink poison for heresy and corruption of the youth. ... Why Yes to Death Penalty? ... People very easily talk about abolishing death penalty but when they are the victims of a crime the only thing they want is revenge in the form of death penalty Why No to Death Penalty...
Should Juveniles Be Subject to the Death Penalty? ... The youth are an obvious example of the moral decay eating away at our civilized societies. ... Should a juvenile be subject to the death penalty? ... A proponent of the death penalty would argue exactly this point. ... The average murder rates among death penalty states were 8.0, and the average among non-death penalty states was 4.4 (Notis 122). ...
This is why I believe that juveniles should not be given the death penalty; they're too young to understand their actions and the consequences that come with their actions. ... During youth, environment, parents and friends all play a large part in a kid's life. ... Laurence Steinberg, "youth thinking mirrors that of their parents by age 16, but teens are still less likely to base decisions on future consequences. ... But an awareness of these factors can help judges, law enforcement and parents in the way we discipline our youth in general. ... By researching all of these facto...