Juveniles Should Be Abolished

Twenty-two defendants had been executed for crimes committed as juveniles since 1976. Juveniles should be given a more character developing and changing punishment. Juvenile’s brains are not fully developed yet, leaving spur of the moment choices and decisions that are sometimes punishable by death. Although some crimes are brutal enough to receive the death penalty, the system of punishment on teens should be evaluated and changed. An eye for an eye is an old guideline that should be left behind during the modern times people are currently living in. Juveniles must not receive the death penalty because they are still young and are subject to change, they can make a positive contribution to society in the future, and the discipline from
For example, juvenile’s brains are not as fully developed compared to adult brains which are, according to experts on the brain can prove this as, “psychiatrists point to brain research that shows the frontal lobe, the part the brain that controls reason, develops last.” This fact alone proves why juveniles should not be tried the same away as adults. Brain development plays a key role in decision making and choices, especially when dealing with criminal actions. Immaturity levels are much higher in teens and minors, so they should not be punished the same way as a fully developed mature adult. Teenagers should not be held to the same standards as adults as, “Juveniles susceptibility to immature and irresponsible behavior means ‘their irresponsible conduct is not as morally responsible as that of an adult.” (Hemminfiled 38) Juveniles have less brain development and are not as mature as adults as they have not lived long enough to gain the experience or maturity. Therefore, they must not be given the same punishment as adults, the death penalty, because they are not as developed as an adult
When looking at juvenile justice two types of models tend to be used: restorative justice, which is justice based on bettering the convict, and criminal justice, which is purely based on punishment. Within the United States, there are systematic shifts towards a more restorative model of justice especially surrounding juveniles. Canada has long been practicing under a restorative model of justice and continues to grow and expand upon practices of integrating youth offenders into the community in hopes that they do not become a criminal again but become positive, contributing members of society. In addition to these countries, Austria has taken an initiative to implement victim-offender mediation programs geared towards a more restorative form of justice. New Zealand completely restructured their system with an emphasis on what the indigenous people, Māori, practiced for many years.SOURCE) This includes a family-centered focus that lowers youth incarceration. Globally, there is a trend of utilizing the traditional values of past generations to create a positive impact throughout juvenile court systems. “The philosophy of the juvenile court has always been rehabilitation.” www.emory.edu The death penalty does not rehabilitate the juvenile, instead it eliminates an under developed human. The life sentence with parole is a more effective punishment for capital crimes,