In Texas and Florida, two fine conservative states, many juvenile criminals are sentenced and tried as adults. This leads to longer sentencing; a murder, such as the one mentioned in the Title IX case, could lead to life imprisonment if tried and sentenced under adult penalties rather than to 3-4 years in juvenile incerceration. In other states, like Maryland, for example, young criminals are tried and sentenced as juveniles, and they serve their time in facilities that are geared specifically toward rehabilitation.
So what’s the issue? I don’t understand why the disparity in sentencing is so great between states. (In the case of the young man who had a violent history and stabbed his girlfriend to death in school, I thought 3-4 years was not long enough in prison. This is probably gender bias on my part.) Interestingly enough, the young man in question committed his crime in Texas, but was tried as a juvenile. Usually Texan juvenile criminals are tried as adults. Why was that not the case in this situation?
So where a young person commits a crime can have a vast effect on the rest of their life. The moral of the story, I guess, is if you’re going to stab someone, do it in a liberal state.
It’s not gender bias, it’s not nearly long enough. I already think there’s a much, much too steep gradient in the difference between child and adult punishment. I see the need for having a difference, but life turning into 3-4 years is total bullshit.
You know what? When I was 10, I didn’t kill anyone. And would you like to know why? Because I knew it was wrong. Oh, and because noone stole my trikey, but that’s secondary.
February 19th, 2004, at 3:35 pm #i am very shocked that that case would not be put to trial as an adult trial… its not gender bias, i think that any murder should be tried as an adult crime because that just gives kids an excuse to kill people when they are under age.. why do u think there are so many shootings… kids know that they can get away with 3-4 years and your comment..” The moral of the story, I guess, is if you’re going to stab someone, do it in a liberal state.” probably just made it more of an option for kids…3-4 years is total crap that wouldnt effect me.. its just like school, i think they should just make all crimes that are major crimes for adults.. major punishments for kids… we know better and we should be treated as such.
October 7th, 2005, at 1:42 pm #