Expert: Michael Troy - 5/13/2003

Question
I am look for the disadvantage or the negative impact of trying Juveniles as adults.  I am doing a persuasive speech against trying youth as adults.  The question persented to me was "should youthfuls be tried as adults"? and I have to show support for the "Not" side. Thank You Renee

Answer
Hi Renee,

The main reason children have not traditionally been tried as adults is that people see a difference.

Children's brains and social skills are not fully developed.  They are more likely to do stupid and illegal things without fully appreciating the consequences of their actions.  Many criminal justice experts believe that children who do horrible things can still be turned around with proper guidence.  How many of us look back at our own childhood and recall things that we did as children that we would never dare do as adults?  I know I can think of a few things in my own life that I did as a child but would never do today.

Because children are still developing and matureing, many believe they should be held to a different standard.  The system should make efforts to get them back on the right track and help them to mature rather than simply throwing them in jail.

I hope this helps!
- Mike