Another factor to consider when determining if Jason should be tried in an adult court focuses on the child's ability to respond to treatment. It is important to understand that juvenile court is much more adapted to the rehabilitative aspect of corrections than the adult court, where little mercy and stiff penalties are the norm in today's prison culture society.
The focus should then shift to Jason's individual characteristics and abilities to see if he requires extra special attention in the form of a transfer to adult court. Jason's family life needs to be understood in greater detail as well to get a better picture on how Jason reacts in that type of environment. Any other information should also be sought after to help paint a more complete picture of Jason. These things should include his habits, friends, social networks, diet siblings and tendencies. A physical medical examination should also be included in this attempt to determine the appropriate action.
Age limits are not always right and sometimes those younger than 18 should indeed by tried in an adult court. This should be very rare and be reserved for the worst of our young people in society. Having faith in our youth is very important and positive reinforcement instead of punishment can work wonders within an individual and inspire them to great things. We are all not perfect and at the same time have been blessed with different attributes and skills that others do not have. When dealing with children and young adolescents it is important to have patience and faith in their development. Too often the quick fix is regarded as the best fix and this often leads to juveniles being expedited to adult court with little to no reason.
Conclusions
The ability for the prison system to profit off their industry also creates a conflict of interest and puts substantial pressure on judges and attorneys to seek the harshest punishments available...
Leadership and courage is needed throughout the criminal justice system is desperately needed to put things on the right track and apply rationale thought and reason in our society. How we treat the lowest and poorest in society demonstrates the fabric of our collective culture. Vindictive and vengeful policies do not aim to serve justice but rather detract from its essence.
To recommend that Jason be transferred to adult court in this instance would require me to learn new information that contains much more data to suggest that he is dangerous to society or is unable to respond to rehabilitative measures. The aims of juvenile court are much more aligned with the needs of Jason in this particular case study and do not require him to be punished any more than the limits of that system. Exposing Jason to the adult court system and the prison society may do may harm than good in this particular instance. If indeed a five-year prison sentence awaits Jason if he is transferred I cannot recommend that he be tried as an adult as this punishment certainly does not fit the crime nor does it seek to remedy a situation in which nobody was injured or harmed. I would strongly urge not to transfer this boy into the adult court and apply reason and temperance in a situation where a better option seems much more applicable.
References
Allard, P., & Young, M.C. (2002). Prosecuting juveniles in adult court: The practitioner's perspective. Journal of Forensic Psychology Practice, 2(2), 65-77.
Bryan-Hancock, C., & Casey, S. (2011). Young People and the Justice System: Consideration of maturity in criminal responsibility. Psychiatry, Psychology and Law, 18(1), 69-78.
Bryan-Hancock, C., & Casey, S. (2010). Psychological maturity of at-risk juveniles, young adults and adults: Implications for the justice system. Psychiatry, Psychology and Law, 17(1), 57-69.
