Kiddie Killers and Baby Battery

What to do about juvenile justice in America? Do we coddle criminals by sending teenagers who presumably know right from wrong to a juvenile detention center, instead of adult lock up? What about the kids who are too young even for youth detention centers?

My morning email news round up had two interesting stories about these very vexing questions. The first, is about a 14 year old who has plead guilty to 2nd degree murder, after killing his 15 year old brother on Christmas Eve.

Apparently, if he had been one year older, in his state the case would have automatically gone to adult criminal court and he could have received life in prison for his crime.

But, "Because he is a juvenile, the boy's name, record and details of the case are private and his hearing Thursday was closed." And according to a spokesman for the Office of Youth Development (what a euphemism!) "He will get a tremendous amount of treatment for whatever problem he has."

So the kid gets to go to classes, counseling and, here's the kicker, according to the District Attorney, "the teenager will have a clean record once his sentence is completed."

Now I can totally understand why some people are upset about the state of the juvenile justice system in the U.S. But it seems to me, if the kid was 15 and sent to adult court and adult prison, he'd certainly not get the appropriate services he needs, since most programs in prisons have been cut significantly since American got "tough on crime" in the '80s and '90s.

So instead, the teenager will get about 7 years, and have a clean record with which to re-start his life. Hopefully the counseling works, he isn't abused while in the state's custody It's too bad that is his 15 year old brother won't have the same chances though.

The 2nd story is even more wild! This case involves a 7 year old arrested for a fight where he threw his book bag at another kid at the bus stop. He taken into custody at school because, "The mother of the 7-year-old agreed that her son was uncontrollable and should be arrested."

But here's the kicker... "The boy was taken to the county's juvenile assessment center, but staff said the center doesn't accept children under age 10."

What to do with our littlest criminals? Florida must be in a bind on this one! Honestly, all this does is make me question this little kid's mother. What kind of environment has your kid been in when he can't be controlled at 7?

It might not be the mom's fault. Maybe the kid needs counseling or medication. Or maybe he just needs someone to role model appropriate behavior, step in when he gets out of line and supervise his free time so he doesn't wail on other kids with a backpack full of books!

I don't mean to pass judgement in either of these cases. Issues of juvenile justice are vexing at best and there may not be one right answer. But I'd move towards treating adult criminals more like children. That is to say, there's a real chance at rehabilitation/corrections with educational programs, treatment and counseling, especially since most people in prison are going to get out eventually, we as a society, might be a lot better off. Off course, no one's ever accused me of being soft on crime, just soft on criminals.