Strangely, we actually DO see things a little like this. The defense claims their client is incompetent to be tried as an adult, so they end up in a situation where they’re not in jail so they cannot be paroled, etc. but they’re not free either. Sometimes that’s actually the best we can do for folks who are simply unable to cope.
In our area, the general thought process is boys will be boys. Whether for vandalism or sexual assault, they are given a friendly warning and allowed to continue. This finally lead to one driving under the influence (for the who know how many times) and killing a bus load of elderly people returning from a church retreat. 14 dead because he never faced a consequence for anything he did.
It is epidemic out here. Any problem is ignored, covered up, or defended. You want to know why this keeps happening? Because they know they can do it and get away with it. Rape another student? That shouldn’t affect your life! Kill someone driving drunk? People make mistakes! Shoot up a school? Get this kid the help he needs! And I think we all see the common denominator in how this is brought about. Accused (wrongly) of stealing a backpack? Years in jail. Found guilty of rape or murder? He was too rich to understand his actions (affluenza) or one action shouldn’t ruin his future (but her life is shattered).
The fact is, he is a danger to others and should not see the outside of a jail cell for the rest of his life, or in the right state, should be put to death. He murdered people and should pay the price society has decided on for that crime, regardless of who he is or what excuses are made. Full stop.
Well Theodore, I agree with you regarding how arbitrary the declaration of adulthood is. A prosecutor will go after a kid as an adult, but adults have to prove they’re adults to buy tobacco or liquor. But TrulyTexan is also right in that our penal system is just that. Whether juvenile or adult, the system is one of punishment, which at best warehouses people and at worst is a training ground for recidivists. Perhaps for the case in question the kid should plead not guilty due to mental defect. In the absence of competent parenting, this is the best thing the kid can hope for.
So long as the Political Right Wing keeps acting like puerile spoiled brats, they should be treated like children, and not allowed to make decisions and choices for themselves.
But, that said, Rall does have a point that the justice system is charging way too many children as adults for non-violent crimes.
Where Rall is wrong, it the person he’s obliquely referring to — Kyle Rittenhouse, committed cold-blooded murder of unarmed people who were no threat to him by any stretch of the imagination, using a gun he was not legally old enough to own or carry.
The only reason he was tried as an adult is that there’s no provision in the US Criminal Code to simply put MONSTERS down on the spot like the MAD DOGS they are.
Justice has left the building; that failure to convict a cold-blooded murderer, regardless of his age, means that Partisan Politics is what reigned in that courtroom instead.
I’m not for the death penalty. Too easy. Throw him in prison and let him suffer till he dies. Too many innocent blacks and browns are just considered cannon fodder.
Concretionist over 2 years ago
Strangely, we actually DO see things a little like this. The defense claims their client is incompetent to be tried as an adult, so they end up in a situation where they’re not in jail so they cannot be paroled, etc. but they’re not free either. Sometimes that’s actually the best we can do for folks who are simply unable to cope.
TrulyTexan over 2 years ago
In our area, the general thought process is boys will be boys. Whether for vandalism or sexual assault, they are given a friendly warning and allowed to continue. This finally lead to one driving under the influence (for the who know how many times) and killing a bus load of elderly people returning from a church retreat. 14 dead because he never faced a consequence for anything he did.
It is epidemic out here. Any problem is ignored, covered up, or defended. You want to know why this keeps happening? Because they know they can do it and get away with it. Rape another student? That shouldn’t affect your life! Kill someone driving drunk? People make mistakes! Shoot up a school? Get this kid the help he needs! And I think we all see the common denominator in how this is brought about. Accused (wrongly) of stealing a backpack? Years in jail. Found guilty of rape or murder? He was too rich to understand his actions (affluenza) or one action shouldn’t ruin his future (but her life is shattered).
The fact is, he is a danger to others and should not see the outside of a jail cell for the rest of his life, or in the right state, should be put to death. He murdered people and should pay the price society has decided on for that crime, regardless of who he is or what excuses are made. Full stop.
countoftowergrove over 2 years ago
Well Theodore, I agree with you regarding how arbitrary the declaration of adulthood is. A prosecutor will go after a kid as an adult, but adults have to prove they’re adults to buy tobacco or liquor. But TrulyTexan is also right in that our penal system is just that. Whether juvenile or adult, the system is one of punishment, which at best warehouses people and at worst is a training ground for recidivists. Perhaps for the case in question the kid should plead not guilty due to mental defect. In the absence of competent parenting, this is the best thing the kid can hope for.
rdublu over 2 years ago
I like this. Good thinking, Ted!
Not the Smartest Man On the Planet -- Maybe Close Premium Member over 2 years ago
Stick with your day job, Ted — ageism and stereotyping. Satire isn’t your wheelhouse.
ferddo over 2 years ago
If one charges an adult as a child, then the parents need to be charged too…
gmadoll789 Premium Member over 2 years ago
All good – except children are expected to grow up.
Nantucket Premium Member over 2 years ago
In FL, the juvenile facilities were using security services that were banned for adults. Thanks gov. Voldemort Scott.
Eclectic Wanderer over 2 years ago
So long as the Political Right Wing keeps acting like puerile spoiled brats, they should be treated like children, and not allowed to make decisions and choices for themselves.
But, that said, Rall does have a point that the justice system is charging way too many children as adults for non-violent crimes.
Where Rall is wrong, it the person he’s obliquely referring to — Kyle Rittenhouse, committed cold-blooded murder of unarmed people who were no threat to him by any stretch of the imagination, using a gun he was not legally old enough to own or carry.
The only reason he was tried as an adult is that there’s no provision in the US Criminal Code to simply put MONSTERS down on the spot like the MAD DOGS they are.
Justice has left the building; that failure to convict a cold-blooded murderer, regardless of his age, means that Partisan Politics is what reigned in that courtroom instead.
randolini Premium Member over 2 years ago
I’m not for the death penalty. Too easy. Throw him in prison and let him suffer till he dies. Too many innocent blacks and browns are just considered cannon fodder.