Assignment Details

Although the original goal of the juvenile court was to care for the wayward child through therapeutic interventions, there are many individuals calling for juveniles to be treated as adult offenders. The current debate between those pushing for harsher juvenile punishment and those asking for treatment may lead to a shift in the way juveniles are processed in juvenile courts and the type of disposition or sentences they will receive.

Common-Lawand Age of Accountability

In the old days, common law stipulated the followingthree things about juvenile culpability:

1. Children under the age of 7 are incapable of harbouring criminal intent and could not be prosecuted.
2. Children between 7 and 14 were possibly capable of having criminal intent and were subject to criminal sanctions.
3. Teenagerswho were 14 or older were capable of criminal intent and could be prosecuted.

Adjudicated as an Adult

The harshest juvenile punishments happen when a juvenile is adjudicated as an adult. That means that if a juvenile commits a crime, then he or she will be tried in adult court.This is usually reserved for only the most violent crimes, but the laws can vary from state to state. This paper provides a sample from Delaware. On page 1, read the paragraph that is titled "What happens if you are tried as an adult?"

Using the course materials, textbook, library, and Web resources research juvenile justice, and comment on the following statement:

"Juvenile delinquents should be treated and sentenced like adult offenders."

Identify and discuss 4 different reasons that support your argument.

Assignment Guidelines:

• Research the different perspectives on juvenile justice and sentencing.
• In 4-6 paragraphs, address the following:
  • Identify and discuss 4 different reasons that support your argument of whether or not juveniles should be treated and sentenced like adults.
    • Use research to support your argument.