This downward trend is directly proportional to an increase in the number of murders reported, prosecuted, convicted, answered with jail time and served to conclusion. My own brother at sixteen, clearly middle class and Caucasian, was arrested years ago for vandalism. Bolstered by alcohol and the applause of his peers, he pulled a fire extinguisher off the wall, pointed the hose at public property and released the contents. That was the last time my brother broke the law. He now teaches in Maryland and has raised three wonderful children.
Consequences play a crucial role in deterring crime.
This downward trend is directly proportional to an increase in the number of murders reported, prosecuted, convicted, answered with jail time and served to conclusion. Juvenile criminals, offenders under age 18, have not been subject to the same rigorous consequences as adult criminals in America. Without a significant deterrent and a high probability of actually paying that price, today's teen has no real incentive to reconsider pulling Dad's gun from the cabinet. Congress has not been blind to the need to increase accountability for juvenile offenders. Juvenile offenders who committed their crimes at age16 or under could also be referred to juvenile court, where the court deems it appropriate.