Death Penalty for Juveniles Essay Example

adults. The reason why teenagers are not trusted with the privileges as well as errands of an adult also clarify why their immature behavior is not as morally inexcusable as that of an adult. The International Covenant on Civil Rights and Political Rights requires that the death penalty be imposed for the utmost serious offenses and never upon those who were below the age of 18 years at the time of their crime. By a vote decision of 5-4, the U.S Supreme Court detained in Roper V. Simmons that the 8th Amendment prohibits the execution of criminals who were below the age of 18 when their offenses were committed (Whitley et al., 2010). In making its decision, the court deliberated both the national consensus that occurred against the practice as well as testimony of professional medical and psychological organizations citing new proof of delayed brain maturation that effects responsibility determinations for juveniles.

One of the factors considered into account when deciding the category of these criminals is the determination of serious damage if the offender caused serious harm then he or she is generally classified as high risk. In numerous jurisdictions, initial evaluation leads on to a sentence management process in which the needs of the offender will be identified through an examination of factors like criminal history, employment history, family and background history, as well as specific offence related problems (Torsrud, 2012). These factors should be considered because the teenager might have been influenced by his parents in order to result to such heinous behavior. Moreover, these factors should considered since some of the children might also be charged with offenses that do not involve

homicide or even injury. Obligatory life without bail for a juvenile, impedes consideration of his chronological age and its guarantee characteristics such as immaturity, impulsiveness as well as failure to appreciate jeopardies and consequences (Torsrud, 2012). It averts taking into account the family and home environment that surrounds them whereby they are the key issues to be considered when it comes to death penalty for the children.

In conclusion, juveniles who commit murder should not be sentenced to death. They should be put into a rehabilitation center where they could adapt and change their behaviors. Juveniles are not as morally as guilty as adults and therefore should not be subject to the death penalty. Putting young people to death for capital offenses is cruel and unusual punishment considering their brain development and mode of reasoning at their tender age

References

1. Torsrud, P. (2012). America unraveled. Place of publication not identified: iUniverse Com.
2. Whitley, P., Goodwin, S. W., & Olson, C. (2010). 99 jumpstarts to research: Topic guides for
   finding information on current issues. Santa Barbara, Calif: Libraries Unlimited.