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What is the problem with the current law on how it treats minors, crime, court system, prison, etc.?

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Final answer:

The law is challenged by problems around juvenile crime, with concerns that the system is neither effectively deterring crime nor rehabilitating young offenders. Proposals to try juveniles as adults are controversial, and there's international criticism of the US's heavy reliance on incarceration.

Step-by-step explanation:

The current law faces significant criticism in how it treats minors in the context of crime, court systems, and incarceration. One major concern is the rising number of juveniles committing serious crimes and the ineffectiveness of juvenile facilities at rehabilitation, causing many youths to continue a life of crime. The proposition that juveniles should be tried as adults aims to address these issues. However, this approach is controversial, as some argue that juvenile incarceration may increase future crime due to its impact on reducing educational opportunities and future earning potential. This suggests that alternative measures such as diversion programs may be more effective than incarceration. The problems are further compounded internationally as the American criminal justice system's reliance on mass incarceration for crime prevention appears comparatively harsh, with longer sentences being meted out for lesser offenses than in other countries.

User Robin McCorkell
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