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Scotland to give young offenders a jury of their peers
Categories: Newborns, Teens & tweens, In The News
Like teens and tweens everywhere, Scottish kids sometimes get into trouble. For minor offenses like vandalism or bullying, lawmakers there are considering a rather interesting system for doling out punishment: a jury of their peers. In other words, a children's court where young offenders plead their cases before a jury full of children.
Criminal defense lawyer John Scott thinks it just might work. "It sounds like something worth trying," he says. "Sometimes young people can get through to young offenders in a way that judges, lawyers and social workers can't."
Of course, the idea has its detractors. A former high court judge thinks kids judging kids is "a completely crackpot idea drawn up on the back of an envelope."
Based on my own experience with teenage petty crime, I am in favor of this idea. I got into a little bit of trouble back in middle school and what had the most impact on me was not the visit to the Principal's office. It was the walk of shame to the Principal's office in front of all my classmates. That made a lasting impression on me and ended my short career as a graffiti artist.
Criminal defense lawyer John Scott thinks it just might work. "It sounds like something worth trying," he says. "Sometimes young people can get through to young offenders in a way that judges, lawyers and social workers can't."
Of course, the idea has its detractors. A former high court judge thinks kids judging kids is "a completely crackpot idea drawn up on the back of an envelope."
Based on my own experience with teenage petty crime, I am in favor of this idea. I got into a little bit of trouble back in middle school and what had the most impact on me was not the visit to the Principal's office. It was the walk of shame to the Principal's office in front of all my classmates. That made a lasting impression on me and ended my short career as a graffiti artist.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
heather 4-28-2008 @ 5:09PM
I agree for you reasons plus other kids may be harsher then adults.
If a 9 yr old is on the Jury and it is a 14 yr old in trouble and the 9 yr old knows what they did was wrong they are going to let them know it. Plus I bet they will come up with some great ideas for restitution and punishment.
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