Original: The Benefits of Exercise for the Elderly
Paraphrased: How Exercise Can Improve the Lives of Seniors: Exploring the Benefits of Physical Activity for the Elderly
This essay attempts to answer the question, “Should juveniles be tried in adult court for serious violent crimes?” Teenagers who have been convicted of violent crimes should be treated as adults. This is for many reasons. It lowers the possibility that a juvinile offenders will be convicted of more severe crimes in the future. It ensures that the severity and consequences of a crime are consistent, while still treating teens with the respect they deserve. It also teaches accountability. Marjorie Lundstrom’s article “Kids Are Kids Until They Commit Crimes” reveals that juvenile systems are distorted by their desire to corral troubled and ever-younger children and force them through adulthood. These kids are not like other children.
According to OJJDP data, approximately 700 US deaths were caused by juvenile offenders. This figure represents approximately 7% among all murder suspects. The number of juvenile criminals grew 32% from 2003 to 2006. It was able to drop 31% between 2003 and 2016. Marjorie Lundstrom speaks about how the juvenile murder arrest rate fell 68% between 1993-1999. This is the lowest rate since 1996. These low teen crime rates have led to teens being charged as adults. These crimes are real, and statistics can’t erase them. Although politicians and prosecutors from across the country call for tougher penalties for juvenile offenders in America, nearly all states are making it easier to bring juviniles before they become adults. It is crucial that children are tried and sentenced as adults for serious offenses. This is why juveniles must be tried as adult. It holds juveniles responsible for their actions and not excuse them because they are younger. Their home was discovered with the bodies of Marc Richardson and Deborah Richardson. They also found their eight-year old son. The 12-year-old girl of the couple was also missing. First, law enforcement was tempted to believe that an abduction had taken place. In fact, Jasmine Richardson (12 years old) killed her brother and father by stabbing them. Her boyfriend, a 23-year old “300-year old werewolf”, helped her to kill her parents by cutting their throats. Jasmine was sentenced at 10 years imprisonment, but was released four years before her triple homicide conviction. The amazing thing about this is that advocates exist to reduce the culpability and retribution of these young offenders. I understand that it can be difficult for young children to commit such an awful crime. But children are still children, even if they have committed crimes. Jasmine Richardson is in a similar situation to Greg Ousleys murder of his parents. Scott Anderson wrote an article about Greg Ousley’s juvenile crime and his life. Greg Ousley, aged 14, entered his parents’ bedroom and shot his parents with a 12-gauge shotgun. Greg was sentenced for two 30-year terms. Greg Ousley sentenced Jasmine Robinson to two life sentences for this heinous crime. Because teens are adults, it allows the justice system to give them the time necessary to provide a chance of rehabilitation.
My last argument is that juveniles should not be treated as adults. Young offenders are too young to be able to distinguish right from wrong, which is the counter argument for trying to charge them with such resoposibility. It is possible for young people to be able to tell the difference between sneaking a cookie from the cookie jar or not. Children are often a product their environment. Children may believe certain unacceptable or violent actions in their homes are normal. All youth should learn that there are actions that can be tolerated and others that cannot. This is regardless of where they come from. This learning lesson can be started by having juveniles tried as adults.
