Juvenile Sentencing

Paper Summary:

The paper explores whether children should be sentenced to adult sentences for their crimes and whether the same sentencing rules must apply across the board. The paper discusses the case of Lionel Tate who claims to have accidentally killed a six year old and the case of Derrek and Alex King who admitted to killing their father purposely. The paper shows how the sentences were vastly different; a life sentence without the possibility of parole for Tate while the King boys are in a juvenile detention center only until they are 21 years old. The paper notes the different color of skin of the defendants, as well as whether they had a public defender or a paid attorney on their side.

Outline:
Introduction
Comparing
Defenses
Punishment
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The nation has been horrified in recent years due to children committing adult crimes. Whether it is the Columbine case, a teen murdering his father or a teen killing a child, the idea that children are now capable of such violence is almost more than the mind can fathom. Yet every year there are cases in the news. The outcome of a case in which a minor is involved is often a bone of contention in debates. Should children be sentenced to adult sentences for their crimes and if so should the same sentencing rules apply across the board?"

Sample of Sources Used:

• (Where it all began: 14-year-old gets life (accessed 08-06-06) http://www.courttv.com/trials/wrestling/background.html)
• Sons, family friend face life for murder (accessed 8-6-06)http://www.courttv.com/trials/king/background.html)

More papers on Juvenile Sentencing:

• Essay # 59899 : "Juvenile Sentencing Issues"
• Term Paper # 96377 : "Juvenile Sentencing"
• Essay # 70430 : "Juvenile Justice"

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