Criminal Justice
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juveniles truly understand the seriousness and consequences of their actions?
No, I think a juvenile is considered anyone under the age of 18. For what I have learned so far the brain does not fully develop until roughly the age of 25. Specifically the prefrontal cortex which controls impulses and higher order reasoning. It is not until that age that a person is fully capable of knowing and controlling their actions.
2. At what age is juvenile capable of understanding?
For most juvenile and depending on their circumstances they know and can understand the difference between right and wrong about the age of 5, for some it might be even later. However, they only know the basics, for example lying and telling the truth about things. Now, the brain is not fully developed in some areas yet and the pre-frontal cortex may not be able to control impulses which may result in criminal actions because they dont fully comprehend the consequence of the action. Therefore I think that right and wrong should be separated from the issues of accountability.
3. At what age should juveniles be tried as adults?
It is difficult to say because now a day, children develop or presumably grow up faster than before due to their environment, socioeconomic and family life. But I would say maybe by the age of 21-25 when the brain is fully developed. When the brain is fully developed and functioning normally then full accountability can be expected. But personally I think the individual should be tried as an adult by the age of 17-18, no younger.