The immaturity of the adolescent brain, which continues developing into early adulthood, contributes to juvenile crime. The debate on whether to treat juveniles as adults in the criminal justice system is ongoing, with arguments for rehabilitation versus punishment.
Experts suggest that the immaturity of the adolescent brain may be linked to juvenile crime. According to neuroscientist Jay Giedd, adolescents cannot be expected to have adult levels of organization or decision-making as their brains are not yet fully developed. This lack of development may lead to a higher incidence of crime among teenagers. The facilities aimed at rehabilitating juvenile offenders are often not successful, leading to a situation where youths continue their life of crime. Some propose that trying juveniles as adults might address this problem, especially given the rising number of serious crimes committed by minors.
Emerging research on the adolescent brain has revealed that it is still under development during the teenage years. The frontal lobes, responsible for judgment and impulse control, continue to mature well into early adulthood. This ongoing development raises questions about the responsibility of teenagers for their behavior and the suitability of treating them as adults in the criminal justice system. The debate incorporates various perspectives, including those focused on rehabilitation and those advocating for stricter punishment.
The probable question may be:
What are the arguments for treating juveniles as adults in the criminal justice system, and how do proponents justify this approach?