Juveniles Should Be Tried As Adults Essay

How can they possibly be tried as adults, when they are physically incapable of thinking like one? Juveniles are not allowed to drink, drive, get married, and if they sign legal contracts, their signatures are invalid. Why? Because adolescents are physically incapable of making mature, responsible, well-processed decisions; and this isn't just because of lack of inexperience in life. Adolescent brains are not fully developed until at least the age of 20. They lack the prefrontal cortex, the lobe of the brain that helps with reasoning and judgment. Teens also do not have a fully developed cerebellum, the area of the brain that helps control impulse. Without these two physical characteristics that separate the men from the boys, teenagers can not possibly be expected to endure the same consequence as fully matured adults.

Research shows that the rate at which juvenile violators of the law turn their lives around as opposed to older violators is remarkable. With the use of rehabilitation, psychological guidance, and some punishment is efficient to teenagers who are convicted of crimes. Sentencing a 12-year old to life in prison just seems morally unjust, especially when he has a high probability of turning his life around with some help.

I do however think the severity of
This is a subject that cannot be fairly judged on a case by case basis, and therefore needs a black and white answer. There are far too many instances where race and location decide whether or not someone is tried as an adult. Leaving the decision open for interpretation allows juveniles in better home situations to get off with less, while those less fortunate see their entire lives taken away from them. Until I hear a logical answer to the issue of selection and consistency, there is no fair way other than to see every juvenile, or no