RE: Should teenagers be tired as adults?

Sarah, I agree with your blog Should a teenage be tried as adult? I understand what you’re saying about crimes and teenager, but I honestly feel it does depend on the crime but also, the criminal justice system should give teenagers who commit heinous crimes the same punishments it bestows upon older offenders. Only then can justice truly be served and society protected from dangerous individuals

For example, you stated a case about Barry Loukaitis and his “mood swing killing spree”, I couldn’t agree more with that case that he should be tried as adult. That’s murder, of course. It doesn’t matter what age he is he killed three people! It’s also pretty rare now that you see people over the age of 15 tried as juveniles because the crimes they commit are so mature and disturbing that they simply can’t be tried as juveniles anymore. On the other hand, kids that steal and commit minor crimes should be tried as a teenager. Sarah makes an excellent point when you says, “A number of minors who commit crimes such as rape, robbery, assault, murder and attempted murder are exempt from being tried in a criminal trial purely because of their age.  As a result, many do not fear getting caught in the act of breaking the law.” That pretty much sums everything up, she’s right! Being easy on those individuals isn’t going to help us at all. 

The government IS responsible for letting those individuals walk without even a scratch. All in all, Sarah’s blog was well put together she made her points very vivid using a lot of logical appeal (facts) to support her strong statements about teenagers being tried as adults.