Treating Teenage Murderers as Adults

[blueyes]

I read an older article about a 14 year old boy who killed another person.
The author of the article was discussing the issue of whether a 14-year-old boy should be treated like an adult in sentencing.  An adult would normally get a 30 year sentence for the same crime.  The lawyers in the case were hoping for a lighter sentence because the youth involved was only 14 years old.

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,110232,00.html

Do you think a 14-year-old should be given a lighter sentence than an adult if the crime is murder?

[Camillusk]

Wow - some tough topics lately.

To me, it would really depend on the circumstances. I would have to hear all the details. Isn't sentencing determined by the judge after a verdict has been reached anyway?

In my opinon, if the child is guilty and the details of the murder suggest that the child is extremely dangerous and harmful, etc, then they should be tried as an adult.

If the child reacted in defense or there was evidence that the child killed because they were abused or something like that, then it probably wouldn't be fair to try them as an adult.

[blueyes]

Wow - some tough topics lately.

To me, it would really depend on the circumstances. I would have to hear all the details. Isn't sentencing determined by the judge after a verdict has been reached anyway?

In my opinon, if the child is guilty and the details of the murder suggest that the child is extremely dangerous and harmful, etc, then they should be tried as an adult.

If the child reacted in defense or there was evidence that the child killed because they were abused or something like that, then it probably wouldn't be fair to try them as an adult.

IMO,  children should be tried as adults in murder cases.
The punishment would depend on the circumstances, adult or child.