Should teenagers be treated like adults when they commit crimes?

Question

Should teenagers be treated like adults when they commit crimes?

Answer 1

Yes they should.  When I was 13 I knew what was right and wrong...its a pretty simple concept.  The idea that someone is less responsible in their teens is ridiculous.

I made a felony stop on a stolen vehicle...with 4 teens inside.  The investigator made me release 3 with no charges and only arrest the fourth on misdemeanor "tampering with a motor vehicle".  INSANE.  All four are now over 18 and have lengthy records.....

EDIT:  Ornery and Mean is correct also....not every crime justifies an adult charge, especially on the first offense.

Answer 2

yess, punishment wise anyways, but maturity wise, no! they should be treated like what they are, juvenile delinquents.

Answer 3

i think it depends on the crime when it comes to rape and stuff like that yes they should be treated like an adult

Answer 4

Yes, as up in Darwin the youth are running a mok, get caught and all they get is a slap on the wrist and a good behaviour bond.  Had a situation where a guy, his wife, newborn 2 weeks old baby in their house, 15 yo drunk tried breaking in assaulted the man with a brick in the head numerous times, man got away and went back into the house to call cops, 15 yo came back with a star picket and stated would kill him and his family.  Man had major operation, loss of job, depression, stressed, loss of memory, etc and when the 15yo was in the courts he go a slap on the wrist and a good behaviour bond.  Due to outrage from the public the decision was appealed until 2 weeks ago.  15yo told the judge he was drunk and did not know what he was doing (even though that is classified as manslaughter) had a football competition to go to in QLD, the judge allowed him to go to the competition and adjourn the hearing until next month.  The laws seems to think that if minor then lets look at mediation where discussion got to take place telling how you feel when they assaulted your or robbed you.  Quite stupid really, I was robbed and if I get my hands on the little ***** they will never rob another person again!!!!!  Why pissed off, it's been over 4 months and I have not heard anything from the cops due to the crime rate going through the roof and they are presently 6 weeks behind in cases relating to crime.  

So definitely, you do the crime you pay the time and should wear the consequences.

Answer 5

Well I am a teenager, and I think that we should. And kids should too-enough with the crime already, why can't we just live in peace. ackk

Answer 6

not really but when ur 18 that might be the age they treat you just like adults but dont try to do any crime

Answer 7

YES

Answer 8

Depends on the crime in my opinion.

Adult crime = Adult punishment.

Answer 9

they should be punished but also be given a chance to improve themselves!!!

Answer 10

It depends on what kind of crime they do. If they murder somebody then yes they will probably be treated as an adult.

Answer 11

Serious or repeated crimes - yes.

Answer 12

depends on the crime

Answer 13

Teenagers want to be treated like adults any other time. So yes. They should be treated like an adult when they commit crimes

Answer 14

The severity of the crime should dictate the punishment. Judges have sentencing limits and these should be imposed, possibly being lenient with the teenager by going to the lower limit. The teenager should not have to serve his sentence in the presence ot adults who have committed a similar crime; that only tends to create more criminal behavior.

In my ideal world these young criminals would be placed on a ranch in Wyoming or Montana to serve their sentence.

Answer 15

absolutely if you want to act grown you will get treated grown! it shouldnt be differentfor them just because they are younger that just make them think its ok to do something

Answer 16

That would depend on the age of the teenager (13?  19?) and the circumstances of the offense.

Straight answer ... in most cases YES!  Although I can see giving extremely young teens a break for their first offense.  This is where the discretion of the court comes into play ... Start all defendants under the age of 18 out in juvenile court, then let the judge rule on if their case stays in the juvenile system, or goes to the adult court.  18 and 19 year old "teens" should go straight to adult court.

For those teens that have amassed a long criminal record ... full charge in adult court is the way to go without a doubt.