When a minor commits a serious crime or violates a rule ,many people try to rule off their crime with the obvious fact that they are still kids, but they tend to forget the fact that kids also need to be be held accountable when they commit hideous and dangerous crimes.
Juvenile justice is a really difficult area in criminal justice system, compassion for children has made it really difficult to decide the consequences/ punishment of a child who committed a crime, the society get to consider that they are still developing and growing mentally, physically and emotionally, but also, when a crime is committed by a child, that doesn't mean consequences shouldn't be faced. Consequences can't automatically be escaped simply because of their age.
A lot of things influence children. They don't even have a mind of their own because of peer pressure, separated family, abuse and neglect from home and many other sad reasons, but none of the factors justify and excuse crimes. They are no reasons why children could commit crimes , not just a crime that could be ignored, but a crime like murder. There has to be punishment, accountability and rehabilitation for such child, especially when they don't feel guilty.
To a child, a long term consequences for committing a crime seem unreal, and they don't understand how bad the consequences can cause, because they aren't mentally mature like an adult, but I believe they know what's right and wrong.
Minors shouldn't be given unlimited protection when they commit severe crimes, it's an act of injustice to protect a child who most have grown to understand right from wrong, after they have committed a serious offense that might have caused harm to others. A teenager who commits a crime should be held accountable and given an age-appropriate punishment. That's to make them understand that they are consequences of bad decisions.The victim deserves justice too. Recently I heard the story of three teenagers who burnt the house of a classmate they have been bullying and, after committing such a crime, it's being ruled off because they are children.
They should face the law too. I believe this will make other teenagers think well before committing a crime too. Society shouldn't be excusing offenders because they are kids. Excusing these children will only give room to more crimes.
However, instead of exposing a child to the painful procedures of adult criminal justice, which will definitely increase the possibility of shaping them negatively, they should also be an age appropriate way of making kids face justice too and understand why they shouldn't commit crimes. Constant excuses to the crime of a child will only cause more harm to society. They should face the consequences of their crimes and also undergo a rehabilitation program.
The purpose of juvenile justice shouldn't only be for punishment, but also severs the purpose of educating, giving psychological support and intervention, structured supervision, because kids can also grow and become better adults. With proper support, they can grow to become better adults, a young offender can be held accountable and still be given a chance to learn and grow into a better adult. The better approach to juvenile crime should be accountability combined with punishment.
In conclusion, it's important for children to understand that actions have consequences , so they don't go around committing crimes thinking they can't be held accountable. Also, society should understand that children deserve a chance to grow and learn.This is why rehabilitation is always important for kid who have committed a crime. The goal should be grooming a better adult and helping children learn from their mistakes too, and not just punishing them.
