Should kids be charged as adults?

[Tony Stacks]

I'm sure you've heard it before :old:"kids that commit adult crimes should be charged as adults":old:.

Really? So wtf is a "adult" crime? Or better yet what is a "kid" crime. If a 13 year old murders someone he/she should be charged as an adult? So if I steal candy from the store should I be charged as a juvinile?
LMAO just some humor


Well here is what T.S. has to say. I find it hyprocritical and it disturbs me that kids can be and are charged as adults. I feel that they are getting a double injustice.
They can't vote, buy tabacco, sign contracts, by a porno mag/DVD and cannot even get a license to drive in all 50 states, they can't work at certain jobs but yet they can be charged as adults.


That's sending a message that they are not old enough for privelges but are old enough for adult punishment and responsibility.

[GODH8SU]

I'm sure you've heard it before :old:"kids that commit adult crimes should be charged as adults":old:.

Really? So wtf is a "adult" crime? Or better yet what is a "kid" crime. If a 13 year old murders someone he/she should be charged as an adult? So if I steal candy from the store should I be charged as a juvinile?
LMAO just some humor


Well here is what T.S. has to say. I find it hyprocritical and it disturbs me that kids can be and are charged as adults. I feel that they are getting a double injustice.
They can't vote, buy tabacco, sign contracts, by a porno mag/DVD and cannot even get a license to drive in all 50 states, they can't work at certain jobs but yet they can be charged as adults.


That's sending a message that they are not old enough for privelges but are old enough for adult punishment and responsibility.

That's not exactly a valid point Tony. Those of us in the military are considered adults right? We can deploy all over the world in a moments notice and if called for, we can die for our country. Yet those that came in right after high at 18 are not even old enough to drink a beer. I can die for my country, but I can't have a beer to celebrate victory? That's not very adult like to me.

I think it should be handled on a case by case basis just like it is right now. There are many circumstances behind every crime so you can't just bunch evey one of them together.

[Muku]

Really? So wtf is a "adult" crime? Or better yet what is a "kid" crime.
Tony it isnt adult crime nor kid crime. To argue that there is a difference to me sounds illogical. Crime is crime, no matter the age.

[Tony Stacks]

Yet those that came in right after high at 18 are not even old enough to drink a beer.

.




Exactly and that is 100% pure BULLSHIT. Congress needs to make a law on this. Drinking age for all military members is 18.

[Tony Stacks]

Tony it isnt adult crime nor kid crime. To argue that there is a difference to me sounds illogical. Crime is crime, no matter the age.


Exactly my point. I heard some bitch on the news say that and I'm like this chick is dumb.

[Muku]

I think it should be handled on a case by case basis just like it is right now. There are many circumstances behind every crime so you can't just bunch evey one of them together.
I agree with this.

Circumstances change for each kid and for that matter adult as well. I am pretty sure anyone here could create examples where a child should be charged as an adult.

[DougP]

Exactly and that is 100% pure BULLSHIT. Congress needs to make a law on this. Drinking age for all military members is 18.

Or raise the age of eligibility for enlistment to 21. Because if a kid isn't old enough or mature enough to drink an alcoholic beverage according the standards set forth by the law then they sure as hell aren't mature enough to go to war. I would put the mature thinking that is required of someone while engaged in combat to be much more critical than that of what is expected when having a Jack and coke.

[Muku]

Or raise the age of eligibility for enlistment to 21. Because if a kid isn't old enough or mature enough to drink an alcoholic beverage according the standards set forth by the law then they sure as hell aren't mature enough to go to war. I would put the mature thinking that is required of someone while engaged in combat to be much more critical than that of what is expected when having a Jack and coke.


Doug I think the only problem would then be that quite possibly noone would join the military.

I agree that there should be a military exclusion clause regarding the drinking age. However where does it stop? What about the possiblity of underage cops or firepeople?

[Tony Stacks]

Doug I think the only problem would then be that quite possibly noone would join the military.

I agree that there should be a military exclusion clause regarding the drinking age. However where does it stop? What about the possiblity of underage cops or firepeople?

I have never met a cop or a firefighter that was younger than 21.

[slickmetal]

I'm sure you've heard it before :old:"kids that commit adult crimes should be charged as adults":old:.

Really? So wtf is a "adult" crime? Or better yet what is a "kid" crime. If a 13 year old murders someone he/she should be charged as an adult? So if I steal candy from the store should I be charged as a juvinile?
LMAO just some humor


Well here is what T.S. has to say. I find it hyprocritical and it disturbs me that kids can be and are charged as adults. I feel that they are getting a double injustice.
They can't vote, buy tabacco, sign contracts, by a porno mag/DVD and cannot even get a license to drive in all 50 states, they can't work at certain jobs but yet they can be charged as adults.

That's sending a message that they are not old enough for privelges but are old enough for adult punishment and responsibility.


Because there are two courts: Juvenile and Adult. Like someone else stated, there is no adult or kid crime, just the court before you have to appear and laws how the "child" can be given there due process and punishment. There are many factors to resolve before saying an actual child can be tried as an adult, especially pyschological evaluations. But in todays society some kids are too smart for there own age and things click in there head way before they should be thinking and/or acting in certain ways. Also some, like adults, are just crazy.

Its true they don't have certain rights, but say for an example a 15 year old boy murders your 15 year old son, and come to find out it was pre-meditated, and planned. You as a father will want that boy who killed your son to pay the extent. Knowing that he planned it and was in in head all along, and didnt happen as an accident or the "heat of the moment", means his mind is virtually that of an adults.

So therefor your saying give the 15 year old a trial as a kid, get put in a juvy home, community service, eventually get out when he is 18-21, growing up withut a real lifestyle, parents and actual friends knowing he got away with murder - then more times than none, they resort back to that bad lifestyle - and probably do it again.

I believe when this is the case, the murdered kids family is getting the injustice...don't let kids go around thinking and KNOWING they can do whatever, whenever - if they perform the actions that of major incident, they should to then have in there conscience a more fierce punishment to look at and maybe think twice about doing what they did or about to do.

[ChipsAhoy1]

I think if you screwed up, you should pay the consequences no matter the age. I also agree that it should be on a case by case basis as well.

As for the military rules, well I disagree with many of them.

You can't drink for your country but you could die for it. Another example, A 26 year old Lance Corporal cannot drive or own a car but then again a 16 year old dependant can. Too many rules exist in the military that I disagree with, it just makes the military especially the Marine Corps as a big babysitting organization.

[thejegster]

I think it depends on the crime. There are so many variables that it would have to be on a case by case basis. I think some children are convicted of crimes and given prison sentences that are unjust as far as to aid with their rehabilitation. Some kids deserve the time that they are given and some do not. Depends on the situation.

[DougP]

Doug I think the only problem would then be that quite possibly noone would join the military.

I agree that there should be a military exclusion clause regarding the drinking age. However where does it stop? What about the possiblity of underage cops or firepeople?

Like I said make that age of responsibility straight across the board.

If they have problem enticing new enlistees or policemen/firemen than maybe they'll have to look into other venues of attracting new recruits. Wonder why a slightly older young person would be less likely to join the force or the military?

[SPMF#1]

I have never met a cop or a firefighter that was younger than 21.
I was a certified fireman at 18. Couldn't have a beer, but I could fight a fire.

I agree with MUKU on this, if we raised the military intrance age we would see a sharp decrease (this is my opinion and to be taken as such so don't ask me for any fvcking references) in recuiting. I feel like kind of a hypocrit since I was legally drinking at 19 in the UK.

[Muku]

Another example, A 26 year old Lance Corporal cannot drive or own a car but then again a 16 year old dependant can.
Easy answer for this one.....the parents are responsible for the 16 year old dependant and the US government is responsible for the 26 year old Lance Corporal.


Wonder why a slightly older young person would be less likely to join the force or the military?

Nope never wondered.....:D

[ChipsAhoy1]

Nevertheless, I rather have a 26 year old on the road than a 16 year old. It is a known fact, that experience and maturity is relative to age. About the responsiblity thing, the 26 year old man is responsible for himself, not the US government in those situations.

[ChipsAhoy1]

If it was up to the government they would start recruiting at 14, just to meet their recruiting quotas, especially now with the Iraqi War going on and with some services trying to increase thier troop count. Increasing the age would mean a less group trying to join and not to mention younger guys are more likely to buy what the military is offering than older guys are.

[Muku]

Nevertheless, I rather have a 26 year old on the road than a 16 year old. It is a known fact, that experience and maturity is relative to age. About the responsiblity thing, the 26 year old man is responsible for himself, not the US government in those situations.

Well you have a choice. Get out of the military or get the rank necessary to be given the privledge to drive. If you are 26 you should know by now that age doesnt matter so much in the military.

If it was up to the government they would start recruiting at 14,

This is just ludicrous....no further comment necessary.

[OCanadaOurHomeAndNativeLand]

The teenage brain, Laurence Steinberg says, is like a car with a good accelerator but a weak brake. With powerful impulses under poor control, the likely result is a crash. And, perhaps, a crime. http://www.physorg.com/news115824831.html

It's well established that different areas of the brain mature at different rates, and all areas are not mature until roughly age 20. While youths may be very intelligence and also very bold, they are by no means on equal footing in regards to emotional stability and having a clear sense of their own personality and character.

[billhilly]

Remember McGruff and all the PSAs back in the day? How about Nancy's "Say no to drugs"? I usually saw that slogan in the basin of a pisser. Did little to deter child crimes, ne. I often speak to my children about "right and wrong". Even so, children are not always a product of their environment. To the point of this thread; if a child is conscience/truly understanding of the crime they commited, (IMO) then pay the price as an adult. I had my first "legal beer" at Camp Geiger when I was 17 after MCT.

[kombu_kid]

I totally agree that anyone under 18 shouldn't be charged as an adult. Boys who commit heinous crimes are still boys, and for the life of me, I just can't understand who came up with this idea of trying them as adults. I consider myself pretty tough and straight-arrow when it comes to crime and punishment, but I'm dead set against this.

For another thing, why is it that an 18-year old male can also be charged with statutory rape if he's having sex with his underage girlfriend......she's consenting to it, can get free condoms to do it with, can probably have an abortion without her parents consent if a pregnancy results,........is she not being treated as an adult by "the system"???? What bullshit!!!....send a young male to jail forever for some mistake he made at age 14, but yet an 18 year-old guy can fry for "taking advantage" of some innocent young chicky who wants him to "do her".

SO WHICH ONE IS IT?????....Man, talk about our system not being on the same page!!!!

[EmbOKJ]

If a minor comits a crime - put them in the juvi until they reach 18, then if the crime fits the bill, move them in with the "adults". Murder is murder (for example) - if a 31 year old gets 30 years, why shouldn't a 15 year old that does the same thing. Of course there has to be some standards and common sense applied but "if you do the crime, you do the time".

[Isaak Brodsky]

As young service members have been asking for years and years, "why in the hell can't we order a beer? They can ship us off to war and sacrifice us, but we can't order a fVckin' beer?!?!?!"

I agree that these young adults are entirely justified in asking questions like these. No one has given them a straight answer about why they can't have a beer or whatever other social lubricant is on tap.

Americans (and every other culture dealing with the question presented by this OP) should re-examine the meaning of the "age of consent."

Maybe public policymakers should consult with neuro-scientists who've studied the physical connections in the brain to try to better determine when cognitive and emotional "maturity" converge.

Maybe in this day and age, the age of consent will be raised to the age of twenty-nine years.

No doubt the age shifts from one culture to the next and from one era to the next. I think it's high time that we look again the issue.

[ChipsAhoy1]

Well you have a choice. Get out of the military or get the rank necessary to be given the privledge to drive. If you are 26 you should know by now that age doesnt matter so much in the military.


That is correct. Again, I was just stating an obvious, yet unjust fact.


I totally agree with Ian. If you take a look, the US is one of a few countries that have such a high drinking age. Though, we could do a lot of things at a younger age.

[ChipsAhoy1]

I totally agree that anyone under 18 shouldn't be charged as an adult. Boys who commit heinous crimes are still boys, and for the life of me, I just can't understand who came up with this idea of trying them as adults. I consider myself pretty tough and straight-arrow when it comes to crime and punishment, but I'm dead set against this.

For another thing, why is it that an 18-year old male can also be charged with statutory rape if he's having sex with his underage girlfriend......she's consenting to it, can get free condoms to do it with, can probably have an abortion without her parents consent if a pregnancy results,........is she not being treated as an adult by "the system"???? What bullshit!!!....send a young male to jail forever for some mistake he made at age 14, but yet an 18 year-old guy can fry for "taking advantage" of some innocent young chicky who wants him to "do her".

SO WHICH ONE IS IT?????....Man, talk about our system not being on the same page!!!!

In some places, they wouldn't consider it rape if the other person was close in age by 2-3 years. For example, 18 year old with a 17 year old.

[Tony Stacks]

I totally agree that anyone under 18 shouldn't be charged as an adult. Boys who commit heinous crimes are still boys, and for the life of me, I just can't understand who came up with this idea of trying them as adults. I consider myself pretty tough and straight-arrow when it comes to crime and punishment, but I'm dead set against this.

For another thing, why is it that an 18-year old male can also be charged with statutory rape if he's having sex with his underage girlfriend......she's consenting to it, can get free condoms to do it with, can probably have an abortion without her parents consent if a pregnancy results,........is she not being treated as an adult by "the system"???? What bullshit!!!....send a young male to jail forever for some mistake he made at age 14, but yet an 18 year-old guy can fry for "taking advantage" of some innocent young chicky who wants him to "do her".

SO WHICH ONE IS IT?????....Man, talk about our system not being on the same page!!!!



Another great point that I think deserves it's own thread.

[Tony Stacks]

In some places, they wouldn't consider it rape if the other person was close in age by 2-3 years. For example, 18 year old with a 17 year old.


Yes but in a lot of places it is. Look at it this way an 18 and 14 year old can attend the same school but can't have sex with each other? What bullshit.

[Tony Stacks]

If a minor comits a crime - put them in the juvi until they reach 18, then if the crime fits the bill, move them in with the "adults". Murder is murder (for example) - if a 31 year old gets 30 years, why shouldn't a 15 year old that does the same thing. Of course there has to be some standards and common sense applied but "if you do the crime, you do the time".


But to hold a 15 year old to the same standard as a 30 year old is ludicris.:cursing:

[proudtobnotpc]

If a minor comits a crime - put them in the juvi until they reach 18, then if the crime fits the bill, move them in with the "adults". Murder is murder (for example) - if a 31 year old gets 30 years, why shouldn't a 15 year old that does the same thing. Of course there has to be some standards and common sense applied but "if you do the crime, you do the time".

This is along the same line as my thinking. If a minor knowingly commits rape,murder,armed robbery. Then they should be tried and sentenced just as anyone over 18 years old. However they will have to be kept separate from the adult prison population until they reach they're 18th birthday then they can be transfered to regular prison to serve the remainder of they're sentence. If this was the case maybe it would prevent some crime. As it stands now minors know there is a good chance they can beat the system and be out allot earlier than an adult that commits the same crime.

[Tony Stacks]

This is along the same line as my thinking. If a minor knowingly commits rape,murder,armed robbery. Then they should be tried and sentenced just as anyone over 18 years old. However they will have to be kept separate from the adult prison population until they reach they're 18th birthday then they can be transfered to regular prison to serve the remainder of they're sentence. If this was the case maybe it would prevent some crime. As it stands now minors know there is a good chance they can beat the system and be out allot earlier than an adult that commits the same crime.


I say if you want a kid to be charged as an adult then give them adult rights, lower the age of majority to the age you want to charge them as an adult at. It's such a double standard. They get to to punished like an adult but are too young for rights and priveledge. B.S. You can't have it both ways.

[vvloc]

Look at it this way an 18 and 14 year old can attend the same school but can't have sex with each other? What bullshit.

And, your thought is?

[slickmetal]

if you are going to charge someone as an adult it would seem appropriate that you be an ADULT　in the first place:-|
how come they never charge adults as JUVENILES

they do, especially celebrities - house arrest, public service, probation, ACD - all basically juvenile sentences.

[slickmetal]

Here's one thing Tony. A child will NEVER get the death penalty.

Ponder that.