August 18, 1992|By Dean E. Murphy | Dean E. Murphy,Los Angeles Times
More and more prosecutors are asking the courts to transfer youths from juvenile to adult court, prompting criticism by some groups that believe juvenile offenders should be rehabilitated, not punished. The 1988 study of 14 youths condemned to death pointed to a "paradoxical set of traditions" in U.S. criminal justice.
On the one hand, the authors note, the juvenile justice system recognizes the immaturity of youngsters and holds them less culpable than adults; but on the other hand, it metes out punishments in cases of serious offenses "as though juveniles were as responsible as adults."
Mr. Mones said that some juvenile killers belong in the adult penal system, but argues that children who kill relatives or friends after years of abuse or in an act of passion should not be treated the same as other young killers. In large part, however, society has not been willing to make exceptions for these murderers, he said.
"There is a lot more compassion in society for battered women than for battered children," Mr. Mones said.
"Unless you believe in the notion of original sin, you have to believe that society is creating some of these people who are killing," he said.
