PLATFORM : Aim: Rehabilitation

The point of treating juveniles differently than adults is that we believe juveniles should be given the chance to rehabilitate. We don’t want them stigmatized or branded as “an ex-con.” We want them to be productive adults. This proposal would effectively eliminate the purpose of treating juveniles differently. If this proposal were to be adopted, then juveniles should be afforded the same rights as adult offenders: for example, the right to trial by jury, which they don’t get. The whole process with juveniles is that it’s not even labeled a conviction. We have a whole different language and the idea is to make it private so that these kids have a chance to rehabilitate. If you’re not going to give them any benefits, then you might as well have one system.

This proposal is just another simplistic response to a complex problem. The only way to change behavior is to address the root of the problem. Education is the key to making the change.