Juveniles Should Be Tried As Adults

Kids are not adults. It has been debated over the years whether the juvenile system should be left with only one judicial system where the same rules apply to both adults and juveniles remaining. Children have been tried as adults without any consideration of their age or crime committed. Only after their teenage years does a child realize important concepts and rules society expects. Research shows that the prosecution of juveniles as adults does not help reduce crime and can affect some psychologically as well.

About 250,000 juvenile youth are prosecuted as adults annually. On most occasions the child who committed the crime, were under age. It is understood and proven that it is impossible that at an early age child has the mental capability that of adults. Juvenile courts are needed because kids cannot be tried the same way adults do. At such an adolescent age when they have no maturity and no responsibilities, them understanding the consequences is not expected of them. For this reason, it is considered unjustified to convict them in the same manner as adults.
According to recent studies examining the mental health of transferred youth, 66% of youth processed in adult criminal court had at least one psychiatric disorder and 43% had two or more types of disorders. Youth transferred to adult prison when compared to those who have received a less serious sentence, have a greater chance of having a substance use disorder, as well as disruptive behavior disorders. After they have been released, juveniles with psychological illnesses place challenges for the juvenile justice system. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, approximately 70 percent of the 2 million adolescents and kids arrested each year in the United States have a mental health