Non-Fiction Reading Response

     

Non Fiction Reading Response: Taitu Fedenko 812

        I recently read the article "Crime And Punishment " in The New York Time Upfront Magazine. The article basically discusses how harsh sentences for juvenilles who commit crimes are unfair and unconstitutional. Rebecca Falcon took part in murder when she was 15. She was sentenced life in prison without parole. The supreme court recently shut down sentences of life with parole for juvenilles. They now realize that it treats these young  offenders terribly because even when they are unfairly trialed they can't even have parole as an option for them. The article basically discusses the unjust that occurs in the courts  when dealing with juvenilles. It also discusses why kids pyschologically commit such serious crimes.

        I personally agree with the court. According to the article, sentences of life without parole is going against the Eigth Amendment. The Eigth Amendment  bans "cruel and unsual" punishments. I believe it is very wrong to sentence juvenilles to life in jail especially with no parol. Also, in Rebecca Falcon's case even without specifically and precisely figuring out who commited the crime she was sentenced life with no parole. Not only is that punishment cruel but it is also unusual.This is also unfair because research has shown that someone's actions at teens years do not necessarily say who that person will be as an adult. So it is unfair to give them life without parole just because  of a mistake made as a young teenager.

        Overall, I believe it is unjust to sentence a juvenille to life in prison without parole. I agree with the court's decision to stop and bar sentences like such. First you  may be sentencing something so harsh to a teenager who hasn't commited a crime. Also, it is unjust and goes against the eigth amendment. And lastly a mistake made when someone is a teenager should not affect their life as if that is the same person that they will be as an adult.