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Debate Info

19
17
no yes
Debate Score:36
Arguments:21
Total Votes:40
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Argument Ratio

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 no (12)
 
 yes (12)

Debate Creator

magaly4(5) pic



Should Adolecents be sentenced to life without parole?

no

Side Score: 19
VS.

yes

Side Score: 17

No. However, I would't mind seeing that teen from Texas who went around town shooting people's pets with a bow and taking pictures of them get the death penalty.

Side: no
1 point

This question seems to assume that life without parole is acceptable even for adults, and I would argue that in most cases that approach itself is unwarranted and unpreferable to alternatives. Particularly with youth, "rehabilitative" approaches that empower individuals and connect them with the resources and help that they need are demonstrated to be more successful than incarceration. The individual in question aside, a lifelong incarceration is also an incredible burden upon the taxpayer (particular if we give youth life sentences).

Side: no
1 point

"We live in a primitive time, don't we, Will? Neither savage nor wise. Half measures of the curse of it, any rational society will either kill me or put me to some use."

Side: no

I do not think Adolescents should be sentence to life without parole. Yes, in almost all cases they are of age to understand what they are doing, they have no excuse, but at the same time, spending time in prison really can change you, I know this not from personal experience, but from certain people whom I know. I am not saying this is true for all cases, it varies. But I think they deserve a second chance. But like I just stated, not in all situations, it definitely depends on what exactly they did, and all those details.

Side: no

Since they are minors, they are a protected class. They should not be tried as adults.

Side: no
2 points

Do the crime, do the time, no matter your age....................................

Side: yes
sayyad99(773) Disputed
2 points

While I respect your opinion, I believe that the crime should fit the mental capacity of the person. Hence, one cannot argue that the mental development of the child or adolescent is equivalent to that of an adult. We have to take into consideration the several factors that can affect teenagers and children as they develop including abuse, peer pressure, etc. The nature of the crime should be evaluated depending on the context in which it was committed and the underlying reasons.

Side: no

In some cases, yes. But their age should be a factor in determining their sentence.

Side: yes

If you are 12. And you decide to go massacre your classmates and you pull it off then I would try you like a big boy. If you steal from the store then I'll just smack your wrist and tell you no no no. If they do a severe adult like crime then you get sentenced like one. You are capable of thought and you know whats right from wrong at 12.

Side: yes
casper3912(1581) Disputed
1 point

If a 12 year old is capable of being tried as an adult, as if the servility of a crime is a test of his maturity, then why is it that he can not test into being able to vote, have sex with older people, skip classes and start work, move out, join the military and so on?

We should be consistent in our laws, in our court proceedings and so on.

If there is a case against a 12 year old being legally incompetent in a large matter of things, then why isn't there a case when it comes to certain crimes?

Side: no
1 point

Because as you age your brain changes. A child at 12 will think differently at 16 or 20. At 20 you should know alot of rights from wrongs. At 16 you understand alot as well but not as much as the 20 year old? Law is typically consistent with age and requires you to follow it. We have seen kids in college due to their level of intellect. Moving out is set by the state. I don't want to give a child who hasn't fully developed their skills with judgement a gun. Military wise a child isn't naturally going to be fit for the military yet. If your 12 and you want to sex by all means thats your secret especially with older women(if they can get one). Its not a test of maturity its just law. Realistically we would place a kid into some kind of "youth recovery" program. It's kinda like being 15 or 16 and you want to purchase Call of Duty: Black Ops 2. The maturity rating is 17+. The 15 or 16 year like most will believe that this is stupid and they would feel mature enough to play a simple video game. I can absolutely see your argument though. I understand what your saying. I just think that age has it's limits in somethings and not in others.

Side: yes

If the crime is big enough.

By not punishing them fairly as if they were an adult member of our society we suggest to all of the world that children have free reign over our nation.

Not solely on reputation though.

We also have to show the perpetrator that what they did was wrong.

Side: yes