"Juveniles Tried as adults?"
Target:
CONGRESS, AND STATE REPRESENATIVES
Sponsored by:
EJI LAUNCHES NATIONAL CAMPAIGN CHALLENGING DEATH IN PRISON SENTENCES IMPOSED ON 13- AND 14-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN
November 28, 2007
A new study by EJI has documented 73 cases where 13- and 14-year-old children in the United States have been tried as adults and sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. EJI believes that sentencing young children to imprisonment until death violates international law and the U.S. Constitution, and has taken on the cases of a dozen of these 13- and 14-year-olds to challenge their sentences. The misguided practice of sentencing young kids to die in prison and the traumatic stories of condemned children are documented in EJI%u2019s report, Cruel and Unusual: Sentencing 13- and 14-Year-Old Children to Die in Prison.
EJI LAUNCHES NATIONAL CAMPAIGN CHALLENGING DEATH IN PRISON SENTENCES IMPOSED ON 13- AND 14-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN
November 28, 2007
A new study by EJI has documented 73 cases where 13- and 14-year-old children in the United States have been tried as adults and sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. EJI believes that sentencing young children to imprisonment until death violates international law and the U.S. Constitution, and has taken on the cases of a dozen of these 13- and 14-year-olds to challenge their sentences. The misguided practice of sentencing young kids to die in prison and the traumatic stories of condemned children are documented in EJI%u2019s report, Cruel and Unusual: Sentencing 13- and 14-Year-Old Children to Die in Prison.
We signed the ""Juveniles Tried as adults?"" petition!
# 316:
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8:54 pm PDT, Jul 3,
Jennifer Hall, Tennessee
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# 315:
9:43 am PDT, Jul 2,
Carina Eriksson, Sweden
# 314:
9:52 pm PDT, Jun 14,
Angela Denise Kendall/Brown, Kansas
YEAH I WOULD BE MORE THEN GLAD TO ADD MY OWN PERSONAL LETTER HERE..... SEE I HAVE A HUSBAND WHO IS INCARCERATED IN KANSAS ON A LIFE SENTENCE PLUS A 3=TO-10 YEAR SENTENCE ON TOP OF THAT ..HE HAS SERVED 17 YEARS OF HIS SENTENCE SO FAR AND HE IS ONLY 34 YEARS OLD FOR HE WAS ONLY 16 YEARS OLD WHEN CONVICTED OF THE CRIME AND CHARGED AS AN ADULT .. SEE MY PROBLEM IS THAT THE OTHER INVOLVED IN THE CASE IS FREE AND CLEAR AND THEY INICIATED IT ALL TO START. AND THAT TODAY PEPLE GET OF WITH A WHOLE HELL OF A LOT LESS OF A SENTENCE HOW CAN AMERICA CALL IT'S LEGAL SYSTEM FAIR OR JUSTICE..........
YEAH I WOULD BE MORE THEN GLAD TO ADD MY OWN PERSONAL LETTER HERE..... SEE I HAVE A HUSBAND WHO IS INCARCERATED IN KANSAS ON A LIFE SENTENCE PLUS A 3=TO-10 YEAR SENTENCE ON TOP OF THAT ..HE HAS SERVED 17 YEARS OF HIS SENTENCE SO FAR AND HE IS ONLY 34 YEARS OLD FOR HE WAS ONLY 16 YEARS OLD WHEN CONVICTED OF THE CRIME AND CHARGED AS AN ADULT .. SEE MY PROBLEM IS THAT THE OTHER INVOLVED IN THE CASE IS FREE AND CLEAR AND THEY INICIATED IT ALL TO START. AND THAT TODAY PEPLE GET OF WITH A WHOLE HELL OF A LOT LESS OF A SENTENCE HOW CAN AMERICA CALL IT'S LEGAL SYSTEM FAIR OR JUSTICE..........
# 313:
7:10 am PDT, Jun 5,
Nancy Beas, Indiana
We all learn from our mistakes. Children make mistakes...some worse than others. They should not have to pay for their mistakes by going to prison. People are not rehabilitated in prison! As a nation, are judged by how we treat our young and elderly. I'm not proud we send anyone under 18 to adult court or adult prison.
We all learn from our mistakes. Children make mistakes...some worse than others. They should not have to pay for their mistakes by going to prison. People are not rehabilitated in prison! As a nation, are judged by how we treat our young and elderly. I'm not proud we send anyone under 18 to adult court or adult prison.
# 312:
11:31 am PDT, May 8,
Cassandra C, California
Does America not care about our children? Child rapists get slaps on the wrists while the children get LWOP? This has gotta stop.
Does America not care about our children? Child rapists get slaps on the wrists while the children get LWOP? This has gotta stop.
# 311:
7:15 am PDT, Mar 12,
Kionna Turner, Missouri
I oppose sentencing children like adults because prison is not rehabilitation!! It is only a form of modern day slavery!!If you ask any person in prison or that has been to prison and they will agree with me..
I oppose sentencing children like adults because prison is not rehabilitation!! It is only a form of modern day slavery!!If you ask any person in prison or that has been to prison and they will agree with me..
# 310:
7:45 pm PDT, Mar 10,
Cheryle Abul-Husn, Indiana
Please do something to help our children. The united States is proud to call themselves peace keepers. We want to save the rest of the world and we throw away our own children. What does that say about us as a country?
Please do something to help our children. The united States is proud to call themselves peace keepers. We want to save the rest of the world and we throw away our own children. What does that say about us as a country?
# 309:
5:48 am PDT, Mar 8,
Judith Stawarz, Pennsylvania
# 308:
10:55 am PST, Feb 28,
Laurie Brewer, Ohio
# 307:
1:21 am PST, Feb 25,
Margaret Blakemore, Tennessee
Children do not hink as adults, although they beleive they are adults and can think as adults the truth is they are still learning and growing. If the US wants to place a child in prision with other criminals that are adults, then the US should allow the child to drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, drive cars, since they can think and conduct themselves as adults. I think it's an outrage and the child will never rehabilate themselves.
Children do not hink as adults, although they beleive they are adults and can think as adults the truth is they are still learning and growing. If the US wants to place a child in prision with other criminals that are adults, then the US should allow the child to drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, drive cars, since they can think and conduct themselves as adults. I think it's an outrage and the child will never rehabilate themselves.
# 306:
6:48 pm PST, Feb 18,
Ani L. Schwartz, New Mexico
# 305:
1:00 pm PST, Feb 17,
Name not displayed, California
my son was tried as an adult at the age of 16. he has been in prison for eight years and still has five more years to go. he will be 31 when he gets out. he committed an armed robbery and was involved in a melee in juvenile hall. i know that adult murderers have received a shorter time sentence than my son. it is preposterous to me that our judicial system is sending our youth to prisons and throwing away the key when studies have shown that their brains aren't even fully developed yet. the law needs to be changed! we need to protect our youth! it is all about pure punishment and no rehabilitation.....
my son was tried as an adult at the age of 16. he has been in prison for eight years and still has five more years to go. he will be 31 when he gets out. he committed an armed robbery and was involved in a melee in juvenile hall. i know that adult murderers have received a shorter time sentence than my son. it is preposterous to me that our judicial system is sending our youth to prisons and throwing away the key when studies have shown that their brains aren't even fully developed yet. the law needs to be changed! we need to protect our youth! it is all about pure punishment and no rehabilitation.....
# 304:
7:17 am PST, Feb 17,
Name not displayed, Iowa
# 303:
9:35 am PST, Feb 6,
Sabrina Clark, Michigan
# 302:
4:35 pm PST, Jan 28,
Name not displayed, California
# 301:
4:27 pm PST, Nov 29,
Name not displayed, California
I currently am working on a college persuasive speech and our group has taken on the task of presenting why children should not be tired as adults.
I currently am working on a college persuasive speech and our group has taken on the task of presenting why children should not be tired as adults.
# 300:
7:49 am PST, Nov 25,
TaffaRoyal Knight, Texas
# 299:
12:04 am PST, Nov 23,
Cecilia Alegre, California
# 298:
11:50 pm PST, Nov 22,
Sally Albitres, California
We should be focusing our efforts to rehabilitating tomorrows youth, not throwing their young lives away. We are only teaching hoplessness to our troubled young people.
We should be focusing our efforts to rehabilitating tomorrows youth, not throwing their young lives away. We are only teaching hoplessness to our troubled young people.
# 297:
10:21 am PST, Nov 19,
Dachri Scott, Kentucky
This case should not even need debate . you can't try a minor as an adult. THEY ARE NOT ADULTS!! This goes right along side of giving chimpanzees the equal rights as humans!
This case should not even need debate . you can't try a minor as an adult. THEY ARE NOT ADULTS!! This goes right along side of giving chimpanzees the equal rights as humans!
# 296:
4:07 pm PST, Nov 12,
Rhonda Rector, South Carolina
# 295:
11:27 am PST, Nov 6,
Annette Scales-Gordon, Ohio
Annette Scales-Gordon
Annette Scales-Gordon
# 294:
10:39 am PST, Nov 4,
Rachelle Rustici, New York
A child is a child is a child, they need to be treated for who they are, a child.My 14 year old son is currently being charged as an adult, I am that boys number 1 supporter and I will got give up until he's home where he belongs.
A child is a child is a child, they need to be treated for who they are, a child.My 14 year old son is currently being charged as an adult, I am that boys number 1 supporter and I will got give up until he's home where he belongs.
# 293:
10:25 am PDT, Oct 18,
EJ Mcm, Canada
# 292:
6:11 pm PDT, Sep 20,
Lawrence Emmons, West Virginia
A kid at 14 is not the same person at 25. Lets stop this.
A kid at 14 is not the same person at 25. Lets stop this.
# 291:
4:45 pm PDT, Sep 20,
Catherine Hill, Nevada
This country has gone back in time when it comes to our children and the law. They have proven that children put into the adult system are more likely to be sexualy abused, beaten, or have to join gangs to survive. The same government that says a person is not old enough to drive until 16 years of age, or can't vote until 18 years of age, or can't drink until 21 because they are not yet mentally ready for these things, says that age 13 they can be tried as an adult and put into an adult system . Try to figure that one
This country has gone back in time when it comes to our children and the law. They have proven that children put into the adult system are more likely to be sexualy abused, beaten, or have to join gangs to survive. The same government that says a person is not old enough to drive until 16 years of age, or can't vote until 18 years of age, or can't drink until 21 because they are not yet mentally ready for these things, says that age 13 they can be tried as an adult and put into an adult system . Try to figure that one
# 290:
7:32 pm PDT, Sep 11,
Johanna Carrillo, California
# 289:
6:34 pm PDT, Sep 11,
Jessica Dunn, Canada
Children should NOT be tried as adults! They are NOT adults. Children do not have the same mind as adults and are not fully responsible for their actions. These children need to be rehabilitated and treated to undo everything that went on in their lives that made them the way they are, so they can be released back into society as a fully functional adult. Children deserve a second chance and NOT to be locked up for life. Change the laws for children! The future of this planet depends on them!
Children should NOT be tried as adults! They are NOT adults. Children do not have the same mind as adults and are not fully responsible for their actions. These children need to be rehabilitated and treated to undo everything that went on in their lives that made them the way they are, so they can be released back into society as a fully functional adult. Children deserve a second chance and NOT to be locked up for life. Change the laws for children! The future of this planet depends on them!
# 288:
11:31 am PDT, Sep 2,
Brittany Boblitt, Kentucky
it's a disgrace.
it's a disgrace.
# 287:
10:38 am PDT, Aug 31,
Name not displayed, Tennessee
This is a travesty. Children are NOT adults. They should NOT be treated as adults. They do not have the ability to think and reason as adults. These children have obviously NOT been taught, or loved by a responsible adult role model to be committing crimes to start with. They Do need treatment, but NOT prison.
This is a travesty. Children are NOT adults. They should NOT be treated as adults. They do not have the ability to think and reason as adults. These children have obviously NOT been taught, or loved by a responsible adult role model to be committing crimes to start with. They Do need treatment, but NOT prison.
# 286:
6:32 am PDT, Aug 29,
Christina Blucker, North Carolina
This is extremely wrong
This is extremely wrong
# 285:
6:35 pm PDT, Aug 26,
Mary jo Minick, Illinois
# 284:
8:26 am PDT, Aug 18,
Nastja Dvorsek, Slovenia
# 283:
10:55 pm PDT, Aug 8,
April Harder, New Mexico
I am a criminal Justice student. I was assigned to write a paper on this topic and I was unaware of many of the aspects involved such as harsher than normal punishments and even the death penalty. Thanks for all of your insight. I hope to help change the system one day and I hope that this petition helps the cause. God Bless!
I am a criminal Justice student. I was assigned to write a paper on this topic and I was unaware of many of the aspects involved such as harsher than normal punishments and even the death penalty. Thanks for all of your insight. I hope to help change the system one day and I hope that this petition helps the cause. God Bless!
# 282:
10:24 pm PDT, Jul 10,
Melissa Contreras, California
I don't see how america can sleep at night knowing that soon after sentencing our children will be raped and beaten and eventually die in prison. This is plain and simple nothing but revenge!
I don't see how america can sleep at night knowing that soon after sentencing our children will be raped and beaten and eventually die in prison. This is plain and simple nothing but revenge!
# 281:
10:53 am PDT, Jul 5,
Drew Blanton, New Mexico
# 280:
4:14 pm PDT, Jun 27,
C C Activist, North Carolina
# 279:
7:18 pm PDT, Jun 25,
Ms Ginger, Texas
# 278:
4:02 pm PDT, Jun 25,
Tawnya Shields, Mississippi
# 277:
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2:02 pm PDT, Jun 25,
Kathleen Roby, BSJ, MEd, Ohio
Use the money wasted on such cases to INVEST in paying for more pychologists per school -- thinking preventively! Teach a child he is bad and he will be convinced he is bad. NO person under 18 deserves to be charged as an adult. They are not adults, even if their crime is one considered adult-like. Persons 18 - 25 should charged as adults only according their situations. Our (once?) great nation has been THROWING AWAY our young folks, in JAILS & WARS!!! One expects so much more from the USA!!! |
# 276:
1:05 pm PDT, Jun 25,
Lyn Zerin, Florida
# 275:
12:46 pm PDT, Jun 25,
Name not displayed, California
Life in prison? I doubt that ever will achieve getting to the root of the problem; if anything, just cause more. The sentence of life in a mental institution was a medival "remedy", but if a child murders, there are reasons to be investigated...deep rooted fears, anger or mental defects, in my opinion. It could teach us to learn the signs & prevent such things in our society. Hasn't "an eye for an eye" gone the way of primative-thinking cultures? As for "rapes", many consenting & experimenting teens are finding a youthful fling can take away your life YEARS after the deed. These varied cases need expert investigating & counseling; not "throw away the key"!
Life in prison? I doubt that ever will achieve getting to the root of the problem; if anything, just cause more. The sentence of life in a mental institution was a medival "remedy", but if a child murders, there are reasons to be investigated...deep rooted fears, anger or mental defects, in my opinion. It could teach us to learn the signs & prevent such things in our society. Hasn't "an eye for an eye" gone the way of primative-thinking cultures? As for "rapes", many consenting & experimenting teens are finding a youthful fling can take away your life YEARS after the deed. These varied cases need expert investigating & counseling; not "throw away the key"!
# 274:
8:03 am PDT, Jun 25,
Stephen R Hannon, Massachusetts
# 273:
7:06 am PDT, Jun 25,
Pamela WolfSong, Rhode Island
# 272:
4:55 am PDT, Jun 25,
Ski Makepeace, United Kingdom
Children must be delt with in a separate legal system from adults. Ever wondered why The US is the only 'so called' civilised' country to execute children, perhaps it is an univilised thing to do. Please allow children a change to redeem themselves.
Children must be delt with in a separate legal system from adults. Ever wondered why The US is the only 'so called' civilised' country to execute children, perhaps it is an univilised thing to do. Please allow children a change to redeem themselves.
# 271:
12:44 pm PDT, Jun 23,
Angela Bennett, United Kingdom
# 270:
9:52 pm PDT, Jun 20,
Barbara Bunton, Texas
# 269:
12:29 am PDT, Jun 20,
Leanne Cook, Australia
# 268:
1:58 am PDT, Jun 18,
Name not displayed, France
# 267:
3:46 am PDT, Jun 14,
Mick G, Australia
# 266:
3:11 pm PDT, Jun 13,
Terry Lee, Michigan
# 265:
6:14 pm PDT, Jun 10,
Douglas Freyre, California
# 264:
10:46 pm PDT, Jun 9,
MIKEL GREGORY, California
THIS IS BS
THIS IS BS
# 263:
10:45 pm PDT, Jun 9,
MIKEL GREGORY, California
THIS IS BS
THIS IS BS
# 262:
8:29 pm PDT, Jun 9,
Katrina Johnson, California
MY 17 YEAR OLD BROTHER IS BEING CHARGED AS AN ADULT WHEN HE WAS FIRST CHARGED HE WAS 16 AND MY WHOLE FAMILY HAS WIPPED OUT ALL OF OUT SAVINGS GETTING A LAWYER FOR HIM AND NOW WE FIND OUT WHAT WE PAYED FOR WAS ONLY UNTILL THE PALIMINARY HEARING WHEN HE GOES TO TRIAL WE WONT HAVE ANY MONEY TO WORK WITH AND NO LAWYER MY BROTHER DID NOT KILL ANYONE THE NIGHT OF THE SHOOTING HE WAS HOME AT ABOUT 11:00PM AND THE SHOOTING TOOK PLACE AT 1AM I DONT UNDERSTAND HOW THEY CAN DO THIS TO CHILDREN. WHEN A 16 YEAR OLD GIRL HAS SEX WITH A 18 YEAR OLSD BOY SHE IS NOT OLD ENOUPH TO MAKE THAT DECITION BUT WHEN SHE KILLS SOMEONE SHE IS OLD ENOUPH IT CONTRIDICTING! THESE KIDS ARE KIDS SO CHARGE THEM AS KIDS.
MY 17 YEAR OLD BROTHER IS BEING CHARGED AS AN ADULT WHEN HE WAS FIRST CHARGED HE WAS 16 AND MY WHOLE FAMILY HAS WIPPED OUT ALL OF OUT SAVINGS GETTING A LAWYER FOR HIM AND NOW WE FIND OUT WHAT WE PAYED FOR WAS ONLY UNTILL THE PALIMINARY HEARING WHEN HE GOES TO TRIAL WE WONT HAVE ANY MONEY TO WORK WITH AND NO LAWYER MY BROTHER DID NOT KILL ANYONE THE NIGHT OF THE SHOOTING HE WAS HOME AT ABOUT 11:00PM AND THE SHOOTING TOOK PLACE AT 1AM I DONT UNDERSTAND HOW THEY CAN DO THIS TO CHILDREN. WHEN A 16 YEAR OLD GIRL HAS SEX WITH A 18 YEAR OLSD BOY SHE IS NOT OLD ENOUPH TO MAKE THAT DECITION BUT WHEN SHE KILLS SOMEONE SHE IS OLD ENOUPH IT CONTRIDICTING! THESE KIDS ARE KIDS SO CHARGE THEM AS KIDS.
# 261:
1:21 pm PDT, Jun 9,
Ildiko Solis, Texas
I would never want this to happen to my son! I think it's wrong! Very wrong! They not even grown-ups when they turn 18! Ridiculous!
I would never want this to happen to my son! I think it's wrong! Very wrong! They not even grown-ups when they turn 18! Ridiculous!
# 260:
6:21 pm PDT, Jun 5,
Vicki Cleveland, Michigan
# 259:
9:30 pm PDT, May 22,
Karen Duffy, Texas
Rehab the kids don't put them away for life.
Rehab the kids don't put them away for life.
# 258:
11:14 am PDT, May 13,
Suzanne Puckett, Ohio
# 257:
1:06 pm PDT, May 10,
Leslie Triplett, Missouri
I have a loved one that was sentenced to life without, as a juvenile. He has now served 17 yrs and only has one appeal left. He is not the same person now and does deserve a second chance. I could go on and on in this little space but will end here by saying that we need to abolish the charging of children, as adults. We need to rehabilitate, rather than sentence our children to death in a prison facility. Stay strong, take a stand and protect our loved ones!!!
I have a loved one that was sentenced to life without, as a juvenile. He has now served 17 yrs and only has one appeal left. He is not the same person now and does deserve a second chance. I could go on and on in this little space but will end here by saying that we need to abolish the charging of children, as adults. We need to rehabilitate, rather than sentence our children to death in a prison facility. Stay strong, take a stand and protect our loved ones!!!
# 256:
12:56 pm PDT, May 10,
Jessie Cross, Italy
# 255:
11:15 pm PDT, May 9,
Diana Animalspirit, Indiana
# 254:
10:25 am PDT, May 8,
Gina Parisi, New York
# 253:
5:05 pm PDT, May 7,
Littlewing NANCY GLAVIANO, Utah
# 252:
11:49 pm PDT, May 3,
Nina Tonti, Ohio
# 251:
6:13 pm PDT, May 3,
Erin Bower, Iowa
