Visions of Juvenile Justice,\" Author Christopher Slobogin

¶ … Visions of Juvenile Justice," author Christopher Slobogin (2009) writes about the difficulties that juveniles face in the criminal justice system of the United States. The article is part of a collection of opinion essays regarding the issues of juvenile criminals and victims. Slobogin's view is that there is a lack of agreement in this country about what the proper punishment is for juvenile offenders and that without a uniform attitude towards this issue, there is an inequality in the country. There are some groups who advocate lenient treatment towards juveniles and a focus on rehabilitation and education. On the other side, there are those who believe that youthful people should not be excused for violent crimes simply because of age and that the punishment should fit the crime without taking the age of the offender too much into consideration.

In the United States, people who commit crimes are punished, no matter what their gender, race, or age. That is the basis of the justice system; that crimes are punished and the criminal must make restitution for their actions. Punishment, according to Christopher Slobogin (2009), "focus[es] on rehabilitation, adult retribution, diminished retribution, and individual prevention (the latter implemented through incapacitation, specific deterrence measures, and treatment targeted at reducing recidivism) (page 385). Whatever the reason for the commission of any crimes, the fact remains that more and more people are beginning their criminal careers at younger ages, perhaps even as early as seven or eight years old. With this being the case, the question then becomes whether or not to treat these individuals based on their actions or to take consideration into their age.

For most crimes that are committed by individuals who are under the age of 18, Slobogin advocates attempting rehabilitation instead of jail time. Unless the crimes that have been committed are particularly violent, such as a murder or a vicious rape or assault, it is hoped that they can learn from the error of their ways and become a fully functional member of society. Those who have become involved in things like burglary or drugs in some way can be rehabilitated through a series of counseling and job training (Slobogin 2009,-page 387). The teen or child must be shown that there is a potential life for them outside of the criminal enterprises in which they had heretofore been engaged.