Juvenile Delinquent Behavior Essay
Before this class, I honestly would have said to prosecute any child as an adult for murder; however, my opinion has changed greatly because there are so many factors that one must consider before trying a child as an adult. For instance, has this 15 year old conducted in any other juvenile delinquent behavior prior to the shooting? If so, then I think trying him or her as adult may be acceptable because this individual has had previous run-ins with the law. At the same time, why is this child engaging in this behavior in the first place?
Another major factor that I think should be discussed is why this child felt the need to shoot and kill this student; was he or she being bullied at school? I believe this is a HUGE factor with school shootings. …show more content…
We cannot ignore the fact that the prefrontal cortex does not fully mature until about 18 to 25 years of age. Because it has not matured, a child does not know how to control his or her emotions adequately. After reading Shawn’s story about how he stabbed his father, I think it is relevant to conclude that the maturing of the prefrontal cortex is evident. Because the prefrontal cortex helps with self-control and decision making, it is evident that this could play a role in deciding whether or not to prosecute a child as an adult. Shawn had no recollection of stabbing his father, and this could very well have to do with the lack of maturing to the prefrontal cortex. However, Shawn had prior run-ins with the law; in addition, he also had alcohol and drug abuse behavior, so I thought he should have been tried as adult based on his previous record. There was also no indication that his parents lacked parental monitoring. I believe that finding the underlining issue is the most relevant way in deciding how the court system goes about prosecuting this 15 year old child because there are several factors to base the final prosecution on. Was he or she bullied? Did he or she lack parental guidance? Did they engage in juvenile behavior, prior to the shooting? Without any background knowledge on the child, I cannot say whether or not he or she should be tried as an
Another major factor that I think should be discussed is why this child felt the need to shoot and kill this student; was he or she being bullied at school? I believe this is a HUGE factor with school shootings. …show more content…
We cannot ignore the fact that the prefrontal cortex does not fully mature until about 18 to 25 years of age. Because it has not matured, a child does not know how to control his or her emotions adequately. After reading Shawn’s story about how he stabbed his father, I think it is relevant to conclude that the maturing of the prefrontal cortex is evident. Because the prefrontal cortex helps with self-control and decision making, it is evident that this could play a role in deciding whether or not to prosecute a child as an adult. Shawn had no recollection of stabbing his father, and this could very well have to do with the lack of maturing to the prefrontal cortex. However, Shawn had prior run-ins with the law; in addition, he also had alcohol and drug abuse behavior, so I thought he should have been tried as adult based on his previous record. There was also no indication that his parents lacked parental monitoring. I believe that finding the underlining issue is the most relevant way in deciding how the court system goes about prosecuting this 15 year old child because there are several factors to base the final prosecution on. Was he or she bullied? Did he or she lack parental guidance? Did they engage in juvenile behavior, prior to the shooting? Without any background knowledge on the child, I cannot say whether or not he or she should be tried as an