http://www.canada.com/cityguides/toronto/story.html?id=5937c1ab-8c47-48f0-8bf0-74182fbc9d2f&k=67490
Good or bad, your opinions?
Good or bad, your opinions?
Treat young offenders more harshly
- Thread starter DryCreek
- Start date
I doubt very highly that a law like that will detour any teens at any age from crimes they may commit. One reason is that the younger you are the less you are likely to consider the future, and some of the kids that commit crimes don't even feel they have a future.
This will definitely punish their behavior, but it would be far better to figure a way to prevent their behavior. For this I have no ideas.
This will definitely punish their behavior, but it would be far better to figure a way to prevent their behavior. For this I have no ideas.
I think for REPEAT offenders it is definately a good idea. these kids have done it before and have proven they were unable to be rehabilitated and have done it again. how many people should suffer at the hands of these "kids" violent crimes before someone finally says enough? I personally knew a young boy that commited MANY MANY crimes and was never sentenced to any kind of detention center. he stole multiple cars, beat up his mom, beat up other kids, continuously stole from stores, threatened people with death, when finally he beat a kid almost to death and they finally decided to put him in a detention center for 6 months 
6 MONTHS? less than a week after he was out he was doing the same things that got him in there and was sentenced to another 6 months. OBVIOUSLY THE FIRST 6 MONTHS DID NOTHING.
I say it's time to protect the law abiding citizens from these repeat offenders who get nothing but a slap on the wrist and a pat on the butt everytime they screw up. how many times should they be allowed to do this without any REAL repercussion.
I think once you are ages 13-17 you have a perfectly FINE understanding of death and violence. I did when I was that age. they are not innocent children at that age and should be held accountable. so they don't understand violence at 17 but can be tried as an adult at 18? do they automatically get a sense of death when they become "adults" they know death is permanent by that age. they just don't care. Very sad for them but very dangerous for those around them.
6 MONTHS? less than a week after he was out he was doing the same things that got him in there and was sentenced to another 6 months. OBVIOUSLY THE FIRST 6 MONTHS DID NOTHING. I say it's time to protect the law abiding citizens from these repeat offenders who get nothing but a slap on the wrist and a pat on the butt everytime they screw up. how many times should they be allowed to do this without any REAL repercussion.
I think once you are ages 13-17 you have a perfectly FINE understanding of death and violence. I did when I was that age. they are not innocent children at that age and should be held accountable. so they don't understand violence at 17 but can be tried as an adult at 18? do they automatically get a sense of death when they become "adults" they know death is permanent by that age. they just don't care. Very sad for them but very dangerous for those around them.
Is it that they don't understand, or more that they have become immune to it. I see commercials for kids video games that blow my mind. We, as children, played games such as war or cowboys and indians. But it was imagination that provided the entertainment. Not the blood and gore casual killing that is found in games and on T.V.
Have we desensitized our next generation so much that they need to do these things just to feel something? Or have we created such a struggle for survival, combined with overcrowding creating desensitization, that there seems to be no other recourse for them but to become base individuals fighting for some sort of attention, even if it's negative?
i think it is the easiest answer, but not the right one. I do not think it will "fix" the problem at all. AT that age, they don't believe they will be caught even if it means caught AGAIN. There is no fear or they do not care for the emotions carry away before the logic clicks in. I don't know what the right answer would be.
I firmly believe that a child from 10 years old and up understands death. Now I also realize that a 10 year old or heck even a 20 year old for that matter has a sense of immortality but they do know killing is wrong.
We had a ( family table talk) once and that was the subject. If you know right from wrong. My grand daughter at the age of six knew killing was wrong and that a killer should be in jail for life or go to the gas chamber. Age has no berring on knowing right from wrong after 10 years of age.
Here is my take on the whole thing . At 16 we fell by law that a person is able to know right from wrong and can drive a 5000 lb killing machine. And when said 16 year old goes out and drinks ( illeagally) and gets behind the wheel of said 5000 lb killing machine and races it down the street at 100 mph and wrecks into an innocent family killing some or all of them then we say said 16 year old did not know what he was doing so slap his wrists.
Now I don't know about you but first I find this very hyprocritical and second if he does not know what he is doing then why are we suppling the means for him to do it?
He knows darn well what he is doing and was careless and had no regard for others just himself and his persuit of pleasure.
This is how I feel about any teen killer. They have full knowledge of what they are doing and that it is right or wrong and choose the wrong action and feel they need to be treated as an adult in these type situations.
I am sick and tired of trying to figure out what made someone act badly. Bleeding hearts ought to cry out for the victims and their loved ones and not for the one who committed the criminal behavior for whatever reason he chose to commit the crime or what ever his age was.
We had a ( family table talk) once and that was the subject. If you know right from wrong. My grand daughter at the age of six knew killing was wrong and that a killer should be in jail for life or go to the gas chamber. Age has no berring on knowing right from wrong after 10 years of age.
Here is my take on the whole thing . At 16 we fell by law that a person is able to know right from wrong and can drive a 5000 lb killing machine. And when said 16 year old goes out and drinks ( illeagally) and gets behind the wheel of said 5000 lb killing machine and races it down the street at 100 mph and wrecks into an innocent family killing some or all of them then we say said 16 year old did not know what he was doing so slap his wrists.
Now I don't know about you but first I find this very hyprocritical and second if he does not know what he is doing then why are we suppling the means for him to do it?
He knows darn well what he is doing and was careless and had no regard for others just himself and his persuit of pleasure.
This is how I feel about any teen killer. They have full knowledge of what they are doing and that it is right or wrong and choose the wrong action and feel they need to be treated as an adult in these type situations.
I am sick and tired of trying to figure out what made someone act badly. Bleeding hearts ought to cry out for the victims and their loved ones and not for the one who committed the criminal behavior for whatever reason he chose to commit the crime or what ever his age was.
Oh I definitely agree that most kids/teens understand death and right/wrong, even if they grew up with lousy role models they still know it's wrong to break the law.
If a teen of say 13-14 or even older/younger..hurt/killed someone I love I can't say I would want them put to death, but I would absolutely want the punishment to fit the crime. Not a slap on the wrist, especially for a repeat offender.
My point about the law in question is that I don't think it will detour any kids/teens from doing what they are going to do, they will not even consider the consequences until it's too late............and that is what needs some work with any age offender..................just wouldn't know what to suggest in the area.
If a teen of say 13-14 or even older/younger..hurt/killed someone I love I can't say I would want them put to death, but I would absolutely want the punishment to fit the crime. Not a slap on the wrist, especially for a repeat offender.
My point about the law in question is that I don't think it will detour any kids/teens from doing what they are going to do, they will not even consider the consequences until it's too late............and that is what needs some work with any age offender..................just wouldn't know what to suggest in the area.
And then again if they knew that they had to do the time to fit their crime and could not fall back on the I too young to go to jail thing maybe it would stop alot of it. In the cities it is not at all uncommon for a adult hood to convince a young one to do the crime for him because he wont get punished.
Canada is way softer on young offenders than Americans are. I kind of like it that way unless they are viciously hurting people. I know of and have heard of many youths who changed their ways when they turned 18 because they didn't want to have to deal with adult consequences. I don't think, at 14, they would be able to make that kind of decision.
I think for REPEAT offenders it is definately a good idea. these kids have done it before and have proven they were unable to be rehabilitated and have done it again. how many people should suffer at the hands of these "kids" violent crimes before someone finally says enough? I personally knew a young boy that commited MANY MANY crimes and was never sentenced to any kind of detention center. he stole multiple cars, beat up his mom, beat up other kids, continuously stole from stores, threatened people with death, when finally he beat a kid almost to death and they finally decided to put him in a detention center for 6 months 6 MONTHS? less than a week after he was out he was doing the same things that got him in there and was sentenced to another 6 months. OBVIOUSLY THE FIRST 6 MONTHS DID NOTHING.
6 MONTHS? less than a week after he was out he was doing the same things that got him in there and was sentenced to another 6 months. OBVIOUSLY THE FIRST 6 MONTHS DID NOTHING.
Actually, that isn't true at all.... especially for guys. Your mental process of percieving future consequences just isn't there until 20-25. I'm actually taking Psych classes, and I've been learning a lot about this lately.
I honestly feel that EVERYone at that age makes mistakes, big & small. Teenagers do stupid stuff. I made mistakes, and I'm glad I was not put in juvenile detention. That probably would've done nothing good for me... actually, I might have been much worse off going there and being around some really bad kids.
For serious situations like murder and actually hurting other people, I definitely feel that the punishment shouldn't be a slap on the wrist. But the age & mental maturity of the minor should definitely be taken into account while sentencing them for something that might've just been a spur-of-the-moment act of stupidity.
I honestly feel that EVERYone at that age makes mistakes, big & small. Teenagers do stupid stuff. I made mistakes, and I'm glad I was not put in juvenile detention. That probably would've done nothing good for me... actually, I might have been much worse off going there and being around some really bad kids.
For serious situations like murder and actually hurting other people, I definitely feel that the punishment shouldn't be a slap on the wrist. But the age & mental maturity of the minor should definitely be taken into account while sentencing them for something that might've just been a spur-of-the-moment act of stupidity.
P
Our school has a no tolerance policy for fighting... even if you are the one being attacked and are defending yourself. They go to a detention center until they have a hearing with a judge.
There is one girl that was in my ag class. when we had a sub she was lighting matches a throwing at 2 of her friends in the row in front of her. The whole class smelled of smoke. She was sent to alternaive school fo a few weeks.
Before that she had caught the bus seat on fire with perfume, and tried smoking weed in her second period class.
She's done something that's finally got her expelled for the rest of the year.
Last year, my 8th. grade year, there was a group of girls that lit a firecracker in the back of the bus. It exploded so close to one kid's ear he had to go to the doctor to make sure his hearing would come back.
That same year a group of guys beat up this one kid. it was right after lunch and i was going to my advanced english class. 3/4 of that class period we listened to our english teacher and 2 other teachers yell at them(she knows we are mature enough to stay there by ourselves). when she finally came in she told us straight out she wanted to see those kids walk out in handcuffs,but in this incident and the firecracker one it wasn't in the highschool. the most they did was make them go to altternitave school, which means they go to school at this center.
The point i'm trying to make with these stories is they all knew good and well that what they were doing was wrong, but they didn't care. They bragged about it like it was some big accomplishment.
Making the laws a little harder would be a good thing. imo
Yeah, some will make mistakes, but the consequence has to equal out the offense. In most cases it doesn't.
There is one girl that was in my ag class. when we had a sub she was lighting matches a throwing at 2 of her friends in the row in front of her. The whole class smelled of smoke. She was sent to alternaive school fo a few weeks.
Before that she had caught the bus seat on fire with perfume, and tried smoking weed in her second period class.
She's done something that's finally got her expelled for the rest of the year.
Last year, my 8th. grade year, there was a group of girls that lit a firecracker in the back of the bus. It exploded so close to one kid's ear he had to go to the doctor to make sure his hearing would come back.
That same year a group of guys beat up this one kid. it was right after lunch and i was going to my advanced english class. 3/4 of that class period we listened to our english teacher and 2 other teachers yell at them(she knows we are mature enough to stay there by ourselves). when she finally came in she told us straight out she wanted to see those kids walk out in handcuffs,but in this incident and the firecracker one it wasn't in the highschool. the most they did was make them go to altternitave school, which means they go to school at this center.
The point i'm trying to make with these stories is they all knew good and well that what they were doing was wrong, but they didn't care. They bragged about it like it was some big accomplishment.
Making the laws a little harder would be a good thing. imo
Yeah, some will make mistakes, but the consequence has to equal out the offense. In most cases it doesn't.
So because they are stupid we should let them get away with crime after crime.... because they don't "understand"? Sorry I don't go for that. Well I guess that means I can plead hormonal imbalance because I am pregnant and go out and seriously hurt a lot of people right? I shouldn't have to pay for my consequences. that's silly.
The people that have to pay the consequences are the people these teens are allowed to hurt over and over again because people are "worried" about hurting their feelings. Sorry some stupid kids feelings are not worth my families safety.
I was a teenager once, I made mistakes but I never stole a car, beat someone to near death, brought guns to school or any of that crap. if what you say is true then how come every kid out there isn't running amock? Because they KNOW THE DIFFERENCE. I am not going to give these kids an excuse. You hurt someone..... you should pay the price for it I don't care how stupid you are.
thinking about the future or not they KNOW what they are doing is WRONG at that time. thinking about their future should have no bearing on it. What they are doing deals with the PRESENT. They understand the present.
I understand that my kids will make mistakes.... but I will still punish them for it. If you don't what is going to make them think twice about it. Kids are smarter than you give them credit for. If they know they are going to get a minimal punishment then why the hell not do it. heck why not let them just run crazy in the streets because we are afraid to lay down the law and show them that what they are doing is WRONG. If you let them get away with it at 16 or 17 what happens when they turn 18? Then they WILL be punished and they will be screwed because no one wanted to straighten them out sooner because "they don't know any better". PFFT
and if that isn't there until they are 20 or 25 does that mean we should extend the young offenders age? because they " don't understand the future"? Making excuses for this behaviour is what caused this chaos in the first place.
I personally am sick to death of all this lets analyze every thing to death thing !!! Having to see a shrink for everything and anything these days and the excuses oh my God give me a break. It is again about RESPONSIBILITY !!!!! I find it funny how we all say a owner of an animal should be responsible and if he isn't then face the consiquences. What happened to responsible parenting ?? Teach right from wrong at birth !!! They know at 14 and up what they are doing and if they commit murder they pay like an adult !!!
Do I personally care if a 14 year old or 40 year old killed my loved one. I sure know this my dead loved one is not going to care about the age of the killer before he gets killed think about that.!!!
Do I personally care if a 14 year old or 40 year old killed my loved one. I sure know this my dead loved one is not going to care about the age of the killer before he gets killed think about that.!!!
There are some very thorough studies that have concluded that PHYSIOLOGICALLY, the parts of the brain that enable us to perceive future consequences accurately and inhibit impulsive behaviour are not normally developed fully until well into the 20s in most humans. I've posted links to some of them before.
I'm 17 and I'm perfectly capable of understanding that stealing, assault and killing is wrong -- underdeveloped brain and all.
I don't see any reason to harshly punish kids for silly stuff like smoking pot and graffiti. The law says it's wrong, yes, but teenagers are going to do it anyway.
Things like murder (intentional, premeditated murder) are not excusable in an older teen because "they didn't understand it". In a 10 year old, maybe, but a 16 year old? Nuh-uh . . .
I don't see any reason to harshly punish kids for silly stuff like smoking pot and graffiti. The law says it's wrong, yes, but teenagers are going to do it anyway.
Things like murder (intentional, premeditated murder) are not excusable in an older teen because "they didn't understand it". In a 10 year old, maybe, but a 16 year old? Nuh-uh . . .
I'm 17 and I'm perfectly capable of understanding that stealing, assault and killing is wrong -- underdeveloped brain and all.
I don't see any reason to harshly punish kids for silly stuff like smoking pot and graffiti. The law says it's wrong, yes, but teenagers are going to do it anyway.
Things like murder (intentional, premeditated murder) are not excusable in an older teen because "they didn't understand it". In a 10 year old, maybe, but a 16 year old? Nuh-uh . . .
I don't see any reason to harshly punish kids for silly stuff like smoking pot and graffiti. The law says it's wrong, yes, but teenagers are going to do it anyway.
Things like murder (intentional, premeditated murder) are not excusable in an older teen because "they didn't understand it". In a 10 year old, maybe, but a 16 year old? Nuh-uh . . .
I'm 17 and I'm perfectly capable of understanding that stealing, assault and killing is wrong -- underdeveloped brain and all.
I don't see any reason to harshly punish kids for silly stuff like smoking pot and graffiti. The law says it's wrong, yes, but teenagers are going to do it anyway.
Things like murder (intentional, premeditated murder) are not excusable in an older teen because "they didn't understand it". In a 10 year old, maybe, but a 16 year old? Nuh-uh . . .
I don't see any reason to harshly punish kids for silly stuff like smoking pot and graffiti. The law says it's wrong, yes, but teenagers are going to do it anyway.
Things like murder (intentional, premeditated murder) are not excusable in an older teen because "they didn't understand it". In a 10 year old, maybe, but a 16 year old? Nuh-uh . . .
If no person under 25 can think about the future
than why does any kid go to college. My brother is 17 and is already visiting colleges and universities because HE decided ON HIS OWN that he wants to go into sports medicine. Do you think he is doing this because he just likes to go to school? LOL not likely. he is doing it for his future. Kids are perfectly capable of thinking about the future. people that make excuses are nothing but enablers.Aussie Red I couldn't agree more. Responsible parenting from birth is where it all starts. Notice 50 years ago there wasn't a news story every week about kids shooting up a school. Hmmm were the more capable of logical thought then and not now?
If you can commit a crime like murder or assault like an adult then you are old enough to pay the consequences like an adult.
I figure since all these Teens say they can take care of themselves and are adults perhaps we should start treating them like adults and not like stupid babies and coddle them. They want to take on responsibility.... give it to them but they better be prepared to face the consequences. When my kid says they want to do something I will tell them what the consequences will be. If they still go ahead and do it then they made a conscious decision on their own and they knew the consequences.... they will face them.