than adults so there having them do all the dirty work. But now since many states are passing laws that are allowing prosecutors to charge these teens as adults. This plan of theirs is back firingThe increasing amount of serious offenses being committed by teens is causing officials to come up with ways to put an end to it all. Proposition 21 is one of the ideas officials are putting to use. Proposition 21 allows prosecutors to charge teens who have committed serious felonies as adults. Another measure that is being taking is the Violent Predator Act of 1997. One part of the bill has been passed by the House of Representatives and is being discussed by the Senate. If this bill is passed it would mandate that anyone as young as 13 to be tried as an adult, and encourage states to hold there parents criminally responsible for their acts. They would also like to make juvenile records available, also for the first time house children in adult prisons(j.white). Some states are making so that if the crime is serious enough age will not matter, but others are going as young as 10 years old. In 36 states 17 year old are being excluded from the judicial system. There are some serious problems with having the option of trying teens as adults. Studies are being done and are showing that teens are less likely to be convicted and are frequently acquitted, released or sent back to the youth courts when there case goes to an adult court. The rearrest rate is 26%lower when teens are sentenced in juvenile court rather than adult court.(aclu fact sheet) There are also some signs of discrimination against teens. Facts are showing that 82% of the teens being tried as adults are minorities. Also teens who are also able to obtain private attorneys rather than public defenders are likely to acquitted.(J.Meek)Overall in my opinion we need to get rid of the juvenile criminal system. In some states they are beginning to take steps in that direction. I ...
