here have been many arguments about kids being trailed as adults. Some say that kids are no longer kids when they commit crimes. However, others argue that kids are not fit to handle an adult trial. Greg Kerkorian is a writer that includes data in the article “Many Kids Called Unfit for Adult Trial” about children and teens that stood in adult trails. Kerkorian provides a big amount of research focusing on why kids should not be trialed just like an adult would.
There are many studies based upon kids development. A study by a University of Massachusetts professor showed that some kids and teenagers had levels of reasoning and awareness comparable to those of mentally ill adults judged not fit to stand trial. A child on trial would not even know what is occurring in the moment. The older the male or female, the better his or her understanding is of their actions.
Age and intelligence is the most important factor in concluding a Childs ability to understand the judicial process. A psychology professor named Laurence Steinberg stated, “It is a violation of constitutional rights to be a defendant in a criminal proceeding when you are not competent to defend yourself”. Some people are angry on how children are to face the court as if they were full-grown adults.
A surprising number is the amount of minors tried as adults each year, 200,000. There are even laws that make it easier for juveniles to be tried as adults. Minimum age is not even a matter in twenty-three states. The large amount of the juveniles sent to stand trial has triggered researchers such as Thomas Grisso and Laurence Steinberg to hope for fairness in the juvenile justice system.
Nobody disagrees that the child or teenager should be punished for the crime they commit. The problem is the justice system. Not all teenagers are able to face the court in a good manner. Teens and children part of the studies are providing proof and evidence that juveniles should be tried as what they are, as a juvenile.
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