Would teaching criminal law in Junior High School decrease the crime rate?

Question

Ignorance of the law is not an excuse for breaking the law. But doesn't ignorance of the law prevent the law from being a deterrent?

Wouldn't preventive education in school be better than is correctional punishment in prison after the crime is committed?

Answer 1

Most kids in middle school these days can barely read their myspace page, lets get them learning to read/write and do math.

Answer 2

Not at all. rest of my reply will be the second and third para of ur question.

Answer 3

That will make them smarter on how to break the law and get away with it! Criminals like to believe they are one step ahead of the law! I understand your logic but I think it may backfire!

Answer 4

If having religion and people going to church doesn't prevent crime, how the heck will teaching criminal law do it?

Answer 5

preventing crime is always better than punishing crime.

that said i do not know if a law class in junior high would do more to prevent crime than a shop class.

Answer 6

I think that's an excellent idea.  I've always said this.  Students should also be taught what to do if a police officer confronts them.  Some kids can be unruly, and cops these days are incredibly pig-headed.  The combination makes for a high murder rate. Four kids under the age of 16 shot dead this year by police officers in my neighborhood (in 3 separate incidents).  Police officers should be better trained, better paid, better psychologically analyzed and better educated. Barring this, children need to be taught the importance of humility when confronted by a pig.

Answer 7

No, but if we went back to teaching civics the kids would grow up knowing what the duties and responsibilities of citizenship are instead of just learning what the benefits are.

Almost 50 years ago John Kennedy said "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country".

In the ensuing decades, the liberals have twisted this into "Ask not what you can do for your country, ask how can I live off of other people's work and have other people pay for my crimes?"

Answer 8

No.  Just as teaching psychology in high school does not decrease mental illness or depression.  Understanding the mechanics of something does not necessarily lead to its being diminished.

Answer 9

How about we teach them how to read first.  Don't you think the lesson of right and wrong should be taught at home before we teach these little budding criminals how to work around the law??

Answer 10

You would think so, but not always.

People who  comit crimes know there are punishments and consequences to their actions......The rate will decrease, by how much....a small amount at most!

Answer 11

My experience with junior high kids is that they already know that certain things are against the law.  like hurting people and stealing.  Those that don't know by then will never know or care.