Juvenile System
- The juvenile system should not be a reflection of the ordinary criminal system. The aim of the criminal system dealing with adults is not only to rehabilitate but also to punish the offenders. An adult is considered to have the ability to choose between what is right or wrong without interference from other people or forces. The jury, while charging the minor, must take account of normal adolescence and childhood behavior that makes the child highly experimental and risk-taking. The juvenile system looks at all the alternatives of keeping the child out of jail unless the offender is a significant threat to the public. In the Juvenile system, the courts first consider other options like probation, parole, and diversional programs(Seven legal APC,2015). The children are charged with less formality, unlike the children, and the courts are more lenient in their judgment. Children are charged for committing delinquent acts, and adults are charged for committing crimes.
- The current rights and procedure that advocates for a shift of energy and resources from punishing the young offenders to rehabilitating them will achieve its purpose. The current process discourages the treatment of young offenders like hardened criminals who are a threat to public safety. The fundamental rights of a minor are now more considered in the sentencing of the minor. Incorporating skill training and formal education to the rehabilitation process has made the youth to be more hopeful and useful in society (Darbouze,2008). Proper treatment and enhancing social interaction with peers has made the teens more accepted in society and has raised their self-esteem. Changing the focus from jailing the young offenders to reforming them outside the prisons has helped. Gaining the support of parents, peers, and other society members have made it very easy for youth to be integrated with society.
References
Darbouze, K. (2008). Rehabilitative Methods and the effect on Juvenile Delinquents.
Sevens Legal, APC. (2015, August 19). Adult crime system vs. juvenile crime system. Criminal Defense Attorney San Diego. https://www.sevenslegal.com/criminal-attorney/adult-crime-system-juvenile-crime-system/236/