Tom Hunt wrote, "why make an 16 year old accountable for youthful endeavors.". I agree with John Roach. A serious crime, committed by a 16 year old cannot just be swept under the rug as a "youthful endeavor".
Gee I remember the argument during the Jaquetta Simmons trial that the law should be the law. Seems that some thought it wrong to make crimes against seniors elevated because then they get special treatment.
Well I think it should go just the same for those 16 and under as well. They commit crimes then they face the same system and penalties as well. The system is supposedly designed to prosecute on the merits of the case and crime.
I dont know about you but I know several youths that are only out of jail because of their age. The same ones that Police will tell you that theres not much they can do til these perps turn 16.
If you want equal and fairness at one end (the elderly) of the spectrum in the criminal justice system then you should be agreeable to the same thing at the other end.
Where I come from, murder and unregistered firearms do not fall under the term "youthful endeavor". However this is Batavia and I am learning the ways people here think and feel.
As far as the argument about treating the same crime different depending upon the victim is against my feelings and I do stand behind them. If a crime is committed against me, I want the same punishment to be given to the offender as it would be if I was gay, or elderly or a minority. Nobody is better than me and nobody is worse. A victim is a victim plain and simple.
Thats my point Davis therefore if someone commits a crime then they should be prosecuted the same way regardless of sexual orientation, gender, age or race.
I haven't voted yet as I have mixed emotions a far as a juvenile doing something stupid where there is not a victim.
For instance, there are laws against smoking cigarettes on school property. So some kid goes out back and lights one up and gets caught. If he/she gets prosecuted they will have a record.
Another one, some kids are out playing during the winter and they toss a few snowballs at some cars. We know this is against the law but if these kids get caught and prosecuted they will have a record.
One more, marijuana possession. Kid gets caught with a pipe that has residue on it. If they are even arrested, there is a record. This type of behavior is what I would call "youthful endeavors" and any record of such could do more harm in the future to this child when they become an adult and seek employment then sealing the record.
There wouldn't be so many "youthful offenders" if parents did their jobs and taught their kids right and wrong. Parents are way to protective of their kids "feeling" instead of making them accountable. I may have said it in other incidences like this. Be a parent ... not their BFF.
What's the saying, "if you do the crime, you should do the time".
I have no mixed emotions. Judges have latitude and discretion and so do prosecutors.
If a child gets caught at school smoking a cigarette, it can be plead down to a violation on the first offense. If that said child doesn’t learn the first time, what makes anyone believe the child will learn the second, third, fourth, fifth....etcetera?
The same can be said for snowballs. On the other hand; if the child causes an accident that results in serious injury or death of a pedestrian or one in more people in their automobiles........?
A violation on a child’s record is not going to ruin their lives.
You have to be the age of 18
You have to be the age of 18 to gamble in a casino, it use to be 18 to drink alcohol, why make an 16 year old accountable for youthful endeavors.
Tom, when that 16 year old
Tom, when that 16 year old shoots and kills a person, he should be tried as an adult and face the same penalty.
Tom Hunt wrote, "why make an
Tom Hunt wrote, "why make an 16 year old accountable for youthful endeavors.". I agree with John Roach. A serious crime, committed by a 16 year old cannot just be swept under the rug as a "youthful endeavor".
In response to Tom, Drug
In response to Tom,
Drug gangs recruit children as young as 10 to be drug mules and to hold weapons for them.
Gang initiations include assault murder and rape.
These mentioned children are well aware of this.
They are aware enough to play the system to their advantage. Just ask a Police Officer how street wise they are.
Youthful offender status and sealed records encourages violence.
Why offer a six-four two hundred-fifty pound, sixteen year old violent thug a free pass by giving them two extra years?
I agree with Bea and John.
Gee I remember the argument
Gee I remember the argument during the Jaquetta Simmons trial that the law should be the law. Seems that some thought it wrong to make crimes against seniors elevated because then they get special treatment.
Well I think it should go just the same for those 16 and under as well. They commit crimes then they face the same system and penalties as well. The system is supposedly designed to prosecute on the merits of the case and crime.
I dont know about you but I know several youths that are only out of jail because of their age. The same ones that Police will tell you that theres not much they can do til these perps turn 16.
If you want equal and fairness at one end (the elderly) of the spectrum in the criminal justice system then you should be agreeable to the same thing at the other end.
Where I come from, murder and
Where I come from, murder and unregistered firearms do not fall under the term "youthful endeavor". However this is Batavia and I am learning the ways people here think and feel.
As far as the argument about treating the same crime different depending upon the victim is against my feelings and I do stand behind them. If a crime is committed against me, I want the same punishment to be given to the offender as it would be if I was gay, or elderly or a minority. Nobody is better than me and nobody is worse. A victim is a victim plain and simple.
Thats my point Davis
Thats my point Davis therefore if someone commits a crime then they should be prosecuted the same way regardless of sexual orientation, gender, age or race.
I haven't voted yet as I have
I haven't voted yet as I have mixed emotions a far as a juvenile doing something stupid where there is not a victim.
For instance, there are laws against smoking cigarettes on school property. So some kid goes out back and lights one up and gets caught. If he/she gets prosecuted they will have a record.
Another one, some kids are out playing during the winter and they toss a few snowballs at some cars. We know this is against the law but if these kids get caught and prosecuted they will have a record.
One more, marijuana possession. Kid gets caught with a pipe that has residue on it. If they are even arrested, there is a record. This type of behavior is what I would call "youthful endeavors" and any record of such could do more harm in the future to this child when they become an adult and seek employment then sealing the record.
There wouldn't be so many
There wouldn't be so many "youthful offenders" if parents did their jobs and taught their kids right and wrong. Parents are way to protective of their kids "feeling" instead of making them accountable. I may have said it in other incidences like this. Be a parent ... not their BFF.
What's the saying, "if you do the crime, you should do the time".
I'm fine with youngsters
I'm fine with youngsters being charged as adults in violent crimes, but David makes some good points.
I have no mixed emotions.
I have no mixed emotions. Judges have latitude and discretion and so do prosecutors.
If a child gets caught at school smoking a cigarette, it can be plead down to a violation on the first offense. If that said child doesn’t learn the first time, what makes anyone believe the child will learn the second, third, fourth, fifth....etcetera?
The same can be said for snowballs. On the other hand; if the child causes an accident that results in serious injury or death of a pedestrian or one in more people in their automobiles........?
A violation on a child’s record is not going to ruin their lives.
Anyone remember this
Anyone remember this 14-YEAR-OLD?
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Smith_(murderer)
I don't think age should be the deciding factor when it comes to certain situations.
Youthful offender status (may) have it's place, but, don't make it a "hard" rule. There's always gonna be "exceptions to the rule".
According to News10NBC, the
According to News10NBC, the change would only be for non-violent crimes.
Violent crimes, murder etc,, they would still be charged as an adult.