Juveniles Tried As Adults

Juvenile offenders are classified by most legal systems in Western nations as people who have not reached the age of majority, which is the legal definition for the threshold of adulthood. In most of the United States, this threshold is eighteen years old for those who commit a criminal offense. Some states have laws, however, allow a person as young as fourteen to be tried as an adult for specified violent crimes. (Opposing Viewpoints)

• Should there be an age limit as to how young a child can be to be tried as an adult?
• Can adolescents understand the gravity of their crimes?
• Should juveniles be held to the same level of accountability as adults?
• Should intent for juvenile crimes be taken into account?
• Should juveniles be tried proportionate to the severity of the crime?
• Does trying juveniles as adults help reduce crime?
• What is the impact when juveniles are imprisoned with adults?
• Are juveniles who are put through the adult penal system more or less likely to repeat crimes?
• Does locking up juveniles for life constitute cruel and unusual punishment?
• Should juveniles convicted as murderers receive the same punishment as adults?
• Should juveniles be subject to the death penalty?
• Are minority youths more disproportionately affected by these laws than white youths?