Even though they are just kids, should they be tried as adults? The United States Supreme Court has ruled that the execution of children as young as sixteen is not cruel and unusual punishment. Out of thirty-eight states with the death penalty, thirteen have set the minimum age for death at eighteen; four states set the minimum at seventeen; nine set the minimum age at sixteen; twelve have no minimum age specified. In 1996, prosecutors in the state of Mississippi sought the death penalty for juveniles as young as thirteen years of age (1998, February 17). In 1999, a Texas legislator announced his plan to lower the state’s minimum age to eleven. The youngest person killed since World War II in the United States was George Stinny, a fourteen year-old black boy. George Stinny was so small that when he was being executed his mask fell off.
Some argue that children mature enough to murder are mature enough to be punished for it. The death penalty is usually the last alternative for justice. Miriam Shehane, president of Victims of Crime and Leniency says, “I think when my kids were 15 or 16 they knew better than to kill someone.” A victims’-rights movement based in Montgomery, Alabama says, “If someone does adult crime, they are acting as adults, and they have to take responsibility” (1998, May 3). Shehane contends that capital punishment is not only for those with long legacies of criminality but also for anyone, teens included, who commits singularly horrific crimes. Republican Governor Pete Wilson of California has suggested that fourteen year-olds should be eligible for the death penalty. The spokesman for Wilson, Sean Walsh, explained why Wilson was suggesting this. Walsh thought that gangs in California often use underage triggermen because the gangs know that, if the triggermen are caught, they will not be subject to capital punishment. Lowering the minimum age, he argues, would change that practice. In Texas, Pitts is proposing a five point plan where he wants kids as young as 10-years-old to be certified to stand trial as adults. He wants determinant sentencing eliminated when crimes are pre-mediated. The plan allows juveniles to be sentenced to life without parole (1998, May 3).
Currently, seventy-four juveniles offenders are waiting to be executed on America’s death rows. Since 1990, only six countries have executed people for crimes they committed as kids: Iran, Yemen, Pakistan, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, and the United States (1998, February 17). The United States has executed more children than the other five countries combined. On average, for every seven people executed, one person is found innocent. For example, Shareef Cousin was convicted on false testimony. The eyewitness was not able to identify the murderer, but the day of the trial she was “100 percent, absolutely sure” that Shareef was the murderer (1999, February 8). By coincidence, the testimony given by the eyewitness the day of the murder and three days later was lost. In those testimonies, she told the police that she could not see the murderers’ face. Every year, four juveniles are wrongly accused. Kids should be given a second chance guilty or not guilty.
By placing these kids in boot camp, they could learn how to be more disciplined and also be a better person. This special camp would be for the capital crime kids. Three years would be the minimum time and the maximum is whatever the judge decides. After boot camp, job training will occur and a job will be assigned to them. They will not be able to leave until they are prepared mentally. Also, they will have an optional class that will help them spiritually. The class would be a Bible study group. This class session will take place once a week and there will always be someone that could help the kid in his or her time of need. Another way of solving this problem is not by lowering the capital punishment terms but by having well prepared counselors. These counselors will try to or maybe even stop the problem before it occurs.
Throughout all this information, the hardest thing to understand is the age factor. Why would somebody want to lower the minimum age for the death penalty to eleven? These are not just human beings, but they are also kids. Together, the Christians should defend these kids. Life might not of been easy for some of them. Therefore, a helping hand must be given. It doesn’t matter if the person is black, white, Chinese, or even Hispanic; the killings must stop.
Work Cited
Louisiana. National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty. Death Row Kids 17 February 1998. 1 Jan. 1999 igc./ncadp/drkids.html
Louisiana. National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty. Fact Sheet 17 February 1998. 1 Jan. 1999 igc.//ncadp/fact3.html
Louisiana. National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty. Justice for Shareef 8 February 1998. 10 Feb. 1999 shareef-cousin/
Louisiana. National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty. Stat Sheet 19 May 1998. 1 Jan. 1998 igc./ncadp/stats.html
Louisiana. Say No To Kids Death 3 May 1998. 1 Jan. 1999 home.c2i/sissel.norway/juveniles.html
Megivern, James J. “The Death Penalty.” Historical and Theological Survey New York 1997.
Bibliography
Work Cited
Louisiana. National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty. Death Row Kids 17 February 1998. 1 Jan. 1999 igc./ncadp/drkids.html
Louisiana. National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty. Fact Sheet 17 February 1998. 1 Jan. 1999 igc.//ncadp/fact3.html
Louisiana. National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty. Justice for Shareef 8 February 1998. 10 Feb. 1999 shareef-cousin/
Louisiana. National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty. Stat Sheet 19 May 1998. 1 Jan. 1998 igc./ncadp/stats.html
Louisiana. Say No To Kids Death 3 May 1998. 1 Jan. 1999 home.c2i/sissel.norway/juveniles.html
Megivern, James J. “The Death Penalty.” Historical and Theological Survey New York 1997.
329
Другие работы по теме:
Legal Brief Essay Research Paper Throwing the
Legal Brief Essay, Research Paper Throwing the Book at Kids A twelve-year-old boy, Lionel Tate, brutally beat a six-year-old girl to death in South Florida in 1999. Tate was pretending to be a pro wrestler while he pummeled this girl to death, her liver even had split in half. A Florida law was recently passed which made it easier for prosecutors to try kids as adults.
Sonnet About Death Essay Research Paper Death
Sonnet About Death Essay, Research Paper Death is full of sorrow and surprise Sooner or later it comes at anytime. Even though I do not remember my demise In my hearts I still remember my greatest crime.
Capital Punishment Essay Research Paper I am
Capital Punishment Essay, Research Paper I am all for Capital Punishment. I think that if you kill someone you should be given the death penalty. I think that the death of the killer would give family and friends a bit of ease
Near Death Experiences Essay Research Paper It
Near Death Experiences Essay, Research Paper It all begins for us at birth. We are thrust into a world of constant activity from childhood all the way up to adulthood. Life is busy and we tend not to think about the fact of our inevitable death. It doesn?t seem to make any sense that we will no longer exist as we know it.
Music Worlds Essay Research Paper There are
Music Worlds Essay, Research Paper There are many types of harassment but in this article we will be visiting verbal harassment. Once a student hits middle school they experience new situations. One situation happens to be the harassment from other students. For some this is difficult, they have never had groups of kids laughing and making jokes about them.
Death Essay Research Paper Why must there
Death Essay, Research Paper Why must there be death? Death is sad. So why must we bare sadness? Because nobody can stop death. Why do people die? Why must our loved ones die?
Rip Van Winkle Essay Research Paper In
Rip Van Winkle Essay, Research Paper In the story of Rip Van Winkle, a wind story of a bad father/husband is told. The story seems to be a way for the writer to display his anger and resentment towards his spouse. The story is consistently talking about how Rip was dreading going home to see his wife. At the same time it told of his mistreatment of the same wife.
Death Essay Research Paper DeathDeath is the
Death Essay, Research Paper Death Death is the thing most people fear the most. I myself however do not, death can mean a lot of things. To me death is a restraint on life, a barrier
Drunk Teen Drivers Essay Research Paper Teenagers
Drunk Teen Drivers Essay, Research Paper Teenagers Drinking Issues The drinking age is fine, if anything is should get raised. It is hard to ignore the fact that this law is broken everyday. It’s the 21st century all teens just want to fit in. Kids are drinking at a much younger age. Now, even 10 year olds and 11 year olds are trying to fit in with us older kids.
Aids And Teens Essay Research Paper Kids
Aids And Teens Essay, Research Paper Kids and young adults are the fastest rising group for HIV transmission today. People are beginning to experiment sexually contact at a young age. Unsafe sex is both stupid and
Public Education A Right Or A Privilege
Essay, Research Paper Public Education should be a right not a privilege. In my opinion, public education should be a right. We need public education. When it comes to voting,
Lord Of The Flies Opinion Essay Research
Paper Lord Of The Flies was a very pessimistic book because many people died and also that all of the kids humanity is now lost. An example showing why Lord Of The Flies
Sex Before Marriage Essay Research Paper Wait
Sex Before Marriage Essay, Research Paper Wait To Have Sex Although there are many people having sex, you shouldn’t. I am going to give you some reasons on why you shouldn’t. First of all, you
Sesame Street And The Death Of Reading
Essay, Research Paper Steve XXXXX Sociology Article 3 ?Sesame Street and the Death of Reading? was an interesting article to read. The author explains many who actually sit down and watch the program see no educational gain for their children. It teaches kids how to read (in some areas of the program), but it doesn?t teach these things that are needed most when learning to read: language, active reflection, persistence, and internal control.
Seven Kids Essay Research Paper Seven Kids
Seven Kids Essay, Research Paper ?Seven Kids Found in Squalor? A story of seven children being neglected brings a slew of negative emotions as a reader. This story of how Chicago police found seven children in an apartment in conditions that was less than ideal for children to live in. With only a carton of milk and the apartment being a rat-infested hole.
Gun Control 2 Essay Research Paper We
Gun Control 2 Essay, Research Paper We the students of class 7-508 do not agree with the statement that people should carry weapons. We do not agree with this statement
The 13th Chapter Essay Research Paper The
The 13th Chapter Essay, Research Paper The 13th Chapter The boat had the island with all the kids except the deceased. On the boat ride home there was very little coversation on the boat except for the officers
John Donne Essay Research Paper Although the
John Donne Essay, Research Paper Although the main focus of many of his poems is death, Donne’s ego seems to steal the spotlight. In Holy Sonnet 10, he manages to defend humankind against death, possibly because he feels he cannot be defeated by God. As with most themes in his work, however, he often changes his opinion, leaving a confused reader to attempt to find his real belief about death.
Death Penalty Essay Research Paper Is the
Death Penalty Essay, Research Paper Is the Death Penalty Right or Wrong? Should we be able to execute people that have been convicted of murder or should we give them a chance to break out of jail and maybe kill other people. Well the Death Penalty has been around for a while ever since the Old West use to hang people for punishment.
Baby Sitting Essay Research Paper Fouryearolds can
Baby Sitting Essay, Research Paper Four-year-olds can be a nightmare or a gold mine if you know what to do. Most of us have had encounters with a few of them whether they be our brother’s and sisters or our neighbors’ children. Next time you have an encounter with one you might want to consider the following tips.
Curfew Worth It Or Not Essay Research 2
Curfew: Worth It Or Not Essay, Research Paper Curfew: Worth It Or Not The Curfew is not being enforced, imprisons you, and does not prevent kids who are over 17 to commit crimes. There is always no one to enforce the
Do Parents Expect Too Much From Their
Kids Essay, Research Paper Do parents expect too much from their children? or Do parents expect too little from their children? Well there are many ways to look at this. In this persuasive
Slow Dance Essay Research Paper S L
Slow Dance Essay, Research Paper S L O W D A N C E: *BR* *br* Have you ever watched kids*br* on a merry-go-round*br* Or listened to the rain*br* slapping on the ground?*br**br*
Baby Sitting Essay Research Paper Baby sittingFouryearolds
Baby Sitting Essay, Research Paper Baby sitting Four-year-olds can be a nightmare or a gold mine if you know what to do. I think most of us have had encounters with a few of them whether they were our brothers and sisters or our neighbors children. Next time you have an encounter with one you might want to consider the following tips.
DARE Essay Research Paper DARE
DARE Essay, Research Paper DARE I Promise not to do drugs because I know that if I do drugs A. Nobody will like me except people that do drugs (druggies). Also I’d rather be drug-
Safe Place For Kids Essay Research Paper
Writing Todd Turner Composition 10/15/96 Outdoors Or TV? I think that if kids spent their time outside rather than watching TV there would be less kids in gangs and less kids causing crimes. I?ve noticed lately that alot of kids are in gangs and have been burglarizing houses and stores. One reason why I think kids are becoming more violent and committing crimes is because, they sit in front of the stupid TV all day long.
Recycling Essay Research Paper Why The Kids
Recycling Essay, Research Paper Why The Kids Won’t Recycle There are a few reasons why kids don’t think too highly of recycling. The first reason, haunting most of us, is the fact that we are lazy. Most kids will just throw their garbage away in the nearest garbage, no matter what it happens to be for. Another problem is that the paper recycling bins have the largest opening.
Squeegee Kids Essay Research Paper Squeegee Kids
Squeegee Kids Essay, Research Paper Squeegee Kids “Squeegee kids” should better themselves for humanity and the safety of the city. They should not be wandering the streets, loitering, and disturbing people. They have no right to approach anonymous vehicles and apply what they call “cleaning” on the windshield without the owner’s permission.These people should stop and think whether or not they are benefiting from their actions.
Computer Violence Essay Research Paper Violent Computer
Computer Violence Essay, Research Paper Violent Computer Games A lot of adults say violent computer games make you violent. I disagree. When you are mad you can take out your anger while playing that game. Lots of kids I know have violent computer games and none of them are violent. Pretty much everything in this world has violence in it.
Talk So Kids Will Listen
& Listen So Kids Will Talk Essay, Research Paper Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk Written by: Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish Copyright: 1980