Question

The sentencing of juvenile offenders has been an ongoing debate, especially when juvenile offenders commit serious crimes such as homicide or rape. In the case of Miller v. Alabama (2012), the U.S. Supreme Court decided that life sentences for juveniles was unconstitutional because it was a violation of the 8th Amendment, which prohibits cruel and unusual punishment. whether you agree or disagree with the majority decision in this case and that life sentences for juveniles is unconstitutional. Support your stance on why you agree or disagree.

Answer 1

Answer

It is a matter of debate whether juveniles should be treated like other adults or different from them. According to me, juveniles should not be locked away for their whole lives without any chances of parole because of several reasons. Firstly they are not adults which conclude they are not fully developed and incapable of making mature choices. It is also true that they are not fully aware of what the circumstances can be and how they have to act morally in tough situations. They are more vulnerable to negative peer pressure and commit crimes. Another major reason of not sending kids to imprisonment until they die, without absolutely no chance of parole or release is that children learn from the external environments provided to them and as a society it is our responsibility to provide the children or the future with a more positive environment and protect them from dysfunctional and dangerous environments. Therefore it is important to rehabilitate, counsel and restore the juveniles to normal lives and most importantly mold them into human beings who are absolutely harmless to the society. This should be our major goal.