Can Teens Be Given Life Sentences?
The adolescent years is a challenging time in a young person's life. Emotions tend to run high as teenagers wage fierce battles to find the proper balance between self-reliance and dependency. They are growing and changing at a rapid rate. While many teens often think that they are "all grown up," research shows that the adolescent brain is still too immature to process information and rationalize decisions in the same manner as adults.
Juvenile Crime
From a legal perspective, the immaturity of the adolescent mind poses distinct challenges. Should they choose to do so, most teenagers are intelligent and/or strong enough to cause significant harm to people or personal property. In an effort to keep our communities safe and to teach juveniles that criminal acts will not be tolerated, many people believe that juveniles should be prosecuted for their crimes to the full extent of juvenile law. What punishments should be allowed under juvenile law, however, is a topic of much debate.
Possible Punishments For Juvenile Crime
The punishment juveniles may face for their crimes varies greatly depending on the severity of the crime in question. If they are minor offenses, the juvenile may be given the opportunity to right his wrong by apologizing to the victim, paying for damages or completing community service.
As the severity of the crime increases, so do the potential punishment(s). Juveniles may be sentenced to detention, community service, time in a juvenile correctional facility, and/or confiscation of items that have been illegally obtained. If the crime is serious enough (such as homicide), the juvenile may also be sentenced to years in prison.
Juveniles No Longer Sentenced To Mandatory Life Imprisonment
Years ago, juvenile offenders who committed truly heinous crimes faced the possibility of capital punishment. In 2005, the use of the death penalty for juvenile offenders (individuals ages 12-18) was deemed disproportionately cruel and unusual; instead, juveniles who committed heinous crimes faced the possibility of life without parole. While a life sentence carries serious weight for anyone, the number of years still left ahead of them make it especially impactful in such a young person's life.
In 2012, the Supreme Court ruled that life sentences for juveniles must be taken on a case-by-case basis. Judges are now required to evaluate the specific circumstances surrounding each offense, and juveniles may face a possibility of parole after a certain number of years.
Because of their relative immaturity, many people believe that juveniles cannot be prosecuted to the same extent as adults. Many people also believe that this immaturity provides juveniles with a greater potential for reform than adult offenders. This is the primary reason why juveniles can no longer face a mandatory sentence for life imprisonment without parole - it is unfair to our juvenile offenders to not give them the opportunity to make amends for their actions.
Contact Us For Juvenile Representation
Juvenile Crime
From a legal perspective, the immaturity of the adolescent mind poses distinct challenges. Should they choose to do so, most teenagers are intelligent and/or strong enough to cause significant harm to people or personal property. In an effort to keep our communities safe and to teach juveniles that criminal acts will not be tolerated, many people believe that juveniles should be prosecuted for their crimes to the full extent of juvenile law. What punishments should be allowed under juvenile law, however, is a topic of much debate.
Possible Punishments For Juvenile Crime
The punishment juveniles may face for their crimes varies greatly depending on the severity of the crime in question. If they are minor offenses, the juvenile may be given the opportunity to right his wrong by apologizing to the victim, paying for damages or completing community service.
As the severity of the crime increases, so do the potential punishment(s). Juveniles may be sentenced to detention, community service, time in a juvenile correctional facility, and/or confiscation of items that have been illegally obtained. If the crime is serious enough (such as homicide), the juvenile may also be sentenced to years in prison.
Juveniles No Longer Sentenced To Mandatory Life Imprisonment
Years ago, juvenile offenders who committed truly heinous crimes faced the possibility of capital punishment. In 2005, the use of the death penalty for juvenile offenders (individuals ages 12-18) was deemed disproportionately cruel and unusual; instead, juveniles who committed heinous crimes faced the possibility of life without parole. While a life sentence carries serious weight for anyone, the number of years still left ahead of them make it especially impactful in such a young person's life.In 2012, the Supreme Court ruled that life sentences for juveniles must be taken on a case-by-case basis. Judges are now required to evaluate the specific circumstances surrounding each offense, and juveniles may face a possibility of parole after a certain number of years.
Because of their relative immaturity, many people believe that juveniles cannot be prosecuted to the same extent as adults. Many people also believe that this immaturity provides juveniles with a greater potential for reform than adult offenders. This is the primary reason why juveniles can no longer face a mandatory sentence for life imprisonment without parole - it is unfair to our juvenile offenders to not give them the opportunity to make amends for their actions.
Contact Us For Juvenile Representation
Juvenile law is a delicate matter. If your child is facing charges, securing high-quality representation is an essential first step. Our Lake of the Ozarks juvenile attorneys have the skill and experience required to masterfully represent your child's case.
For more information about our juvenile law services in Camden County MO, visit our website at www.pmcwlaw.com or contact us by calling 573-346-7231.
The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertising. When you need a knowledgeable attorney, we invite you to contact us to set up a consultation. Evening and weekend appointments are available. We have access to interpreters.
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Law Offices of Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, & Welch, P.C.
The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertising. When you need a knowledgeable attorney, we invite you to contact us to set up a consultation. Evening and weekend appointments are available. We have access to interpreters.
We accept Visa, MasterCard, and Discover.
85 Court Circle N.W., P.O. Box 559
Camdenton, MO 65020 GET A MAP
(573) 346-7231 - Telephone
(888) 236-2485 - Toll Free
(573) 346-4411 - Fax
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