Many people in America believe that juveniles should be treated as adults in the criminal justice system. They believe that any age, no matter if you are 10 or 15, should be tried as an adult. Treating a juvenile as an adult in the criminal justice system should not be acceptable because it can have a negative impact on their life. If I were responsible for the laws and procedures of New York State, I would guarantee that all juvenile cases would not be handled by the adult court system. Whether the child is eight, fifteen or seventeen, they should not be treated like adults. My first policies would state that minors are not mature enough to be treated as adults. Minors do not have the capacity to make decisions for themselves because they are minors: they are under 18 years old. These teens do not have the ability to drink, drive, marry, or sign legal contracts. So, if they do not have the capacity to perform these acts under the law, they should not be treated as adults under the law. Additionally, they might develop some sort of mental disorder in such an environment. As they are so young, being in this environment will affect them more, they may suffer from depression or anxiety. Additionally, adolescents are more prone to negative influences and peer pressure, so they will not always make the right decisions; not because they don't have a lot of inexperience. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, "the brain does not resemble an adult's until the early 20s." This proves that juvenile brains are not developed enough to be judged as adults. In some cases, juveniles have committed a violent crime that landed them directly in adult court. In my second policy, if they are waived an adult...... middle of paper ......suffered from depression and anxiety. He missed out on his brother's NFL accomplishments and world record setting. He lost his childhood, can't drive a car, has never been on a date. Alonza says he still feels like he's sixteen. Alonza's statement basically says that going to prison has changed or improved him because he still feels like he is the same age when he went to prison. Alonza's story shows how being incarcerated in an adult prison had a negative impact on his life. No matter how violent the crime, no minor should be treated like an adult. The juvenile system was created to focus on the well-being of the child, so integrating an adolescent as an adult defeats the mission and does not help the adolescent in any way. Young people should not be excused for crimes such as rape, homicide or home invasion. I think the punishment should be different for minors and adults..