Michigan has 10 female juvenile offenders in prison for life. They did their crime and were convicted while in their teens. Please read the following link and answer the questions below. http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2011/11/amy_lee_black_troubled_teen_gi.html
Question 1: Should juveniles be sentenced to life without parole?
Question 2: At what age should they not be considered for adult sentences?
Question 3: Please comment on the story itself.
Tedd S.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 1: I think in the case of premeditated murder they should be allowed to be tried as an adult with life without parole as a sentence. Teens know what they are doing is wrong and if they don't then a whole new issue is brought up with mental illnesses. If they know what they are doing then there is no reason for them to not be sentenced to life without parole.
Question 2: I do not believe there is a cut set cut off. I believe it should be taken on a case by case basis with a psychological examination of the perpetrator. If the perpetrator has the mental capacity to realize what they are doing is wrong, they should be tried as an adult.
Question 3: I believe that the right decision was made. Putting her in jail for only four years is no where near the sentence she deserves. She committed a premeditated murder and knew what she was doing was wrong, she deserves what she got. I think she may have changed in jail but she still has to pay for her actions.
Lauren V.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 1: i think that juveniles should be sentenced to life without parole because the person doing the crime usually knows what they are doing, so they should be punished.
Question 2: I also believe that there should not be a cut off age. There shouldn't be because teenagers should know between what is right and wrong. If they don't, then they should be tested for an illness, and go by what kind of person it is and by determining what kind of crime was produced.
Question 3: She deserves to be in jail because she knew what she was doing. Since she knew was she was doing, she should be punished how she was punished.
Question 1: I think that juveniles should be able to be sentenced to life without parole based on the severity of the crime they commited. They're old enough to know what's right and what's wrong.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 2: I don't think there needs to be a cut off age. The judge would make the right decision based on the crime and the intent of the criminal.
Question 3: I think the girl got what she deserves. She knew what she was doing, and she shouldn't have went along with the murder just because her boyfriend wanted her to.
Q1: I do think juveniles should be sentenced with life without parole, they are old enough to know what they are doing and what trouble they can get in.
ReplyDeleteQ2: I do not think there should be a cut off age, it just isn't right to kill someone, and you can't just get away with it because you are young.
Q3: I do feel bad for this girl because she has been in prison for such a long time, but then again she did help kill someone and you have to pay the consequences.
Q1: I believe that juveniles should be sentenced to life without parole if the crime was bad enough and if they are elligible with their age.
ReplyDeleteQ2: I don't think there should be a cut-off age. If you're in your right mind, you know what you are doing when you kill someone and you usually have intentions to do so. There shouldn't be excuses for underage people.
Q3: I do feel bad for the girl because she will not be able to experience life as she planned. Getting married, having children, owning a home, are things she will never be able to experience because of the little stupid decisions she made as a teen.
Leta H.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 1: Depending on their age, and the crime they committed, I think that juveniles should be able to be sentenced to life without parole. Some juveniles are too young to really KNOW the consequences to their actions. But, i believe that if the crime was obviously pre-meditated, then they should be sentenced.
Question 2: There shouldnt be a specific age that cuts it off as an "adult sentence." This is because different people mature at different rates, and some kids know very well what they are doing when theyre doing it, but others might not.
Question 3: Because the girl thought about what she was doing before she was doing it, she committed and obvious pre-meditated murder. So, i think that she deserves her sentence. She was old enough to know right from wrong.
Kaelee V.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 1: I think that juveniles should be sentenced to life without parole. Because if they are let out then its like they never relly paid their time, and if the crime was extensive enough then they should stil continue to be punished for what they did.
Question 2: There shouldn't be an adult sentence cut off age, I think if the crime was bad enough to land themselves in prison or jail then its okay for it to be considered an adult sentence.
Question 3: If they were smart enough to commit the murder and then confess to it, then they should be tried. It is smart to have them in jail and not allow them out because otherwise they might just do it again. I just think people can be so stupid; especially with these types of crime, they think they wont get caught m but they will.
Anna Fowler
ReplyDeleteQuestion 1: I think that juveniles should be sentenced to life without parole. If the crime was serious enough to consider life without parole the kid obviously deserves it. They should be held accountable for their actions.
Question 2: I don't think there should be a cut off age. If the crime is serious they deserve to be tried as an adult. A judge and jury should be able to know if they should be treated as a juvenile or adult.
Question 3: I think she does deserve life without parole. Her crime was obviously pre-meditated and she knew what she was doing. She confessed to the crime and therefore should serve life.
Question 1: I believe that juveniles should be sentenced to life without parole depending on the crime that they committed, in the case of Amy Black, she deserved to get life in prison.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 2: I think that at any age, depending on the crime, should be treated as adults and get adult sentences. They should know what they were doing, and they should have known that what they were doing was wrong and they should have stopped; because they didn't, they got sentenced immediately.
Question 3: After reading the article and learning all of the information, I believe that the right decision was made and she deserved to have life in prison for what she did. Like I said in the previous question that they were old enough to know what is right from wrong, and they knew that cops would find them and figure out everything that happened. This could have been easily avoided if they just would have thought twice about their actions.
Question 1. I think they should be held without parole, depending on what they did. If it was murder, then yes, life without parole.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 2: I think at age 16, you should be charged as an adult. At age 16 its when you start to get rights, like to drive and such. Plus, at age 16 you should defiantly know what your doing. And they cant play the Im young so I dont know what Im doing card.
Question 3: I think that it was good she was charged as an adult. It was her fault for being in with the wrong crowd. She could have easily told someone what all was going on, but she didnt. So needed to own up to what she did, and what shes see.
Q1: I think it all depends on the situation. In some cases I believe very young juvenilles should be locked awayfor life. But in other cases they felt threatened, like there life was on the line if they did not comit the murder.
ReplyDeleteQ2: Once again I believe it all depends on the situation I read an artical once where a kindergarten or first grade boy, I cant remember now exactly how young he was, plotted down the the t, how he was going to murder his teacher. I don't know if he was tried as an adult or not but it's just rediculous to think about what measures people will take to get away from someone or something they dont like. I think it is down right wrong that a child this age planned out a whole murder, i don't think he should get life, but rather get a long sentance of mental thereapy.
Q3: This girl clearly made the wrong decision and clearly knew exactly what she was doing, it was pre-meditated. Her and her "older" boyfriend decided together that this is what they were going to do, and then they acted on it. She deserves everything she is getting, yes she can make the argument "i will be better now, that was just a stupid "mistake," but the reason she got life in prison was to punish her for taking someone else's life, not so she could sit around until she was older moresophistocated and then realize how bad of a choice that was and start over. It isn't a correctional facility. She needs to be stuck there forever, a crime like murder is puishable by death. she is lucky she could have gotten the electric chair or fireing squad or something. She should be graetful that she has the rest of her life to sit there knowing she cause somebody's death, she caused that somebody's wife and family to suffer she caused them pain, and there is nothing she can do to fix that.
1. Yes, juvenilles should be sentenced to life without parole, if they did a crime that is worthy of the punishment. I believe that juvenilles know the difference between right and wrong.
ReplyDelete2. If there was cut off age, I would say 12. They are closer to still being a child and developing what is right or wrong. After you become a teenager, you should get a sense of what you should and shouldnt do.
3. I think that the judge made the right decision. They planned and executed this murder at two different places. This gave her a chance to wonder what she is doing and to get out and tell the police. After this she even confessed to this murder. Even though she has denied it ever since, I think her true came out fist when she felt guilty. Also, to prove that she is not capable of getting out of prison she keeps getting misconduct penalties. This proves she cant do well in prison and it would translate over to life outside prison.
Q1: I believe that when the evidence proves the juveniles guilty on a murder charge that they should have the choice to sentence them to life without parole because teens can be intelligent and should know there will be consequences for their actions.
ReplyDeleteQ2: I don't think their should be a certain age that they shouldn't be considered for adult sentences because if those that do commit a murder are intelligent no matter what age they can use their age to their advantage. With full awareness the young people may know they can use their young age to get charges as a minor and they won't get the sentence they deserve.
Q3: I thought Ms. Black deserved to be charged as an adult and that Judge Pannucci made the right decision by giving her life without parole. Many officers and prosecutors that came in contact with Ms. Black supported Pannucci's decision. Ms. Black could have made the decision to escape the situation of helping her boyfriend if her story was true in the fact that she was afraid of him.
Question 1:I think that juveniles should get in trouble because they know what they are doing when they do the crime. They should be sentenced with parole. It's not fair to adults that have do the same thing teens do and only the adults have serious consequences.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 2: I don't think that there should be a age that they don't try you as an adult because if you did something that serious you should be tried as an adult.
Question 3: The girl deserves to be in jail because she helped kill someone. She did what she did so she deserved what she got.
Q1: Yes, I believe that juveniles should be sentenced to life without parole. Teenagers are old enough to have a sense of right and wrong. If they commit a crime severe enough to be sentenced to life, they are obligated to suffer the consequences regardless of their age.
ReplyDeleteQ2: Children under the age of 16 should not be tried as an adult. If a child is under the age of 16, there is the issue of their safety and mentality when it comes to placing them in prison.
Q3: Black knew what was going on from the beginning to the end. She knew what she was getting into and she deserved to be tried as an adult. I also believe that she was lying when she told the police that she was only playing along with the murder because she was afraid of her boyfriend. She had the choice of stopping him forcefully and leaving the situation regardless of her fear of her boyfriend. Instead, she decided to stay with her boyfriend and there lies her fault.
Q1: Yes, I believe that teenagers should be sentenced to life without parole. They are old enough to know right from from and if they aren't then a different idea should be mentioned. If they don't know what they did wrong then it could possibly be a mental illness taking place.
ReplyDeleteQ2: I don't think there should be a cut off age. The judge can make that choice on what punishment a person gets whether they are young or not. If there is a cut off age then those who are younger think they can get away with the same serious crime without getting serious punishment. That is teaching them that if they do something that serious they won't get in trouble simply because of their age. The judge can make that choice.
Q3: Amy Black knew exactly what was going on. She was very aware of her actions. She clearly said that she was always curious to find out if she killed someone if she would ever get caught by the police or not. She got what she deserved.
Q1: In my opinion, I think teens should be sentenced to life without parole because If they have some crazy mental issue I would not want them in the streets after their sentence,
ReplyDeleteQ2: I feel there should be a cutt-off age at 10 and under because kids are not matured enough to know the feeling of being insane.
Q3: I agree with locking her up because I would not want a crazy lady on the streets after what she has done and how she knew what she was doing the whole time.
Briggs Taylor
ReplyDeleteQuestion 1: Depending on the crime, yes. If a juvenile commits a crime that would allow them to end up serving life, than they deserve it.
Question 2: Under 12
Question 3: Comment on the story? Two more sick nasty's in this world. Goes to show what kind of screwed up people live around us. Whatever she wants to tell herself to get through the years she deserves to be in prison for the rest of her life.
Question 1: I think juveniles should be sentenced to life without parole, because they committed a crime, so they deserve what they get, just because they are of a younger age doesn't give them an excuse to get off easier.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 2: I don't think there should be an age when you are not considered an adult. If two people kill someone, and one is age 13 and one is age 40, they should get the same punishment because they both committed a crime, the 13 year old should not have it easier because he is younger.
Question 3: I agree with Taylor, you got what she deserved. And i don't like reading about things that happen in Michigan... it makes me nervous.
Question 1: I believe that juveniles should be able to be sentenced to life without parole. It all depends on the severity of the crime though. When talking about a murder case, it really doesn't matter. Murder is murder no matter how you spell it out.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 2: I think there should be an age limit of around 10 years old. Children under 10 are really in need of parental guidance as they are still in the very early stages of maturing.
Question 3: In this case, I believe Black knew what she was doing and the consequences of her actions. Therefore, I think that she deserved what she got.
Question 1: I think that depending on the severity of the crime. Juveniles should be sentenced without parole if they murder someone they should be put away for life.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 2: An age range between 10-13 years old. They are still maturing and learning what is wrong and right in the world.
Question 3: I think she deserved what she got, she knew her actions would have severe consequences.
Alexis H.
ReplyDelete1. I think that at times it is necessary for juveniles to be sentenced to life without parole.
2. There should, however, be a cut off age. At some point, parole should be an option, and at that point, juveniles should not be tried as adults. There needs to be a middle ground.
3. At the age of sixteen, Black knew what she was doing. I do not think that she was forced into anything. Just last year she had problems with heroine. If she cannot even manange to follow the law in JAIL, how in the world can we trust her to follow the law on her own? Black also started a program that she simply used to make her story public and to make herself look better. She did not follow through with the website. She needs to figure out how to tell the truth and learn what it means to have integrity. In order to have someone respect and trust you, you must earn that respect and trust. Black has not done either of those.
1. I think it depends on the circumstances. In certain circumstances i believe its okay. But there are some circumstances like if that criminal is at the wrong place at the wrong time or if they have a mental illness.
ReplyDelete2. The age of 18 should be when you can be tried as an adult. 18 is when you're officially an "adult" in the US so why should jailing be any different?
3. Black knew what she was doing. She had the "mind of a mature adult." Even if it WAS just hitting him with a bottle. She didn't do anything to stop it or tell anyone. She got what she deserved.
Question 1: No they should not. It isnt right to take away a life of what could be just a watcher in a crime. Young kids might not realize what they are getting into with older kids.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 2: The age of 18 should be the age where they are tried as an adult. Other wise any younger they are still a minor. Also they could have just gotten mixed up with the wrong people at the wrong time.
Question 3: The story was sad because she was so young. Also she barly contributed. She watched the guy get killed. She did not take the guys life, her 19 year old boyfriend did. That shows my fact about young teens getting involved with kids older, and that they might not know what they are getting into. She also was a runaway. Her boyfriend was one of the only people she knew and trusted. She didnt have anywhere to go, or anyone to talk to. I just dont think it was right for her, or any juvinal, to be sentenced to life in prision without parol.
Jenna N.
ReplyDelete1. I think it depends on the crime and the circumstances.
2. 18 should be the age when they are tried as an adult. Most age restriction laws end at 18 because that's when most are considered adults. Any younger than that is unfair.
3. I feel bad for her in a way. She does deserve some time in jail but eventually should be able to get a chance to get out. Time in prison can change some people and she should have the right to have the chance to prove she has changed.
Question 1: I think that every case is different because sometimes there are accidents that happen.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 2: I think that at 13 you can be tried as an adult because at 13 you know the difference between right and rong. You know that killing someone is not okay.
Question 3: she got what she deserved! She hit the guy with a bottle and she didn't tell anyone about the murder and she didn't even feel bad he died.
Question 1. I believe that it should be tried as an adult she knows what she did was wrong.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 2. I think all ages should be tried as adults everyone knows right and wrong.
Question 3. What she did was wrong and has to face the consequences instead of blaming everybody else she needs to serve her sentence.
I do not believe that juvaniles should get sentanced for life in prison before the age of at least seventeen. When your younger than seventeen kids are still naive and stupid. But at seventeen and eighteen you are old enough to know right from wrong. With this girl in the story she was only sixteen. Yes she comitted a crime and she was with the guy who murdered that guy but she shouldnt have to be in prison for life without the chance of parole. I beleive they should be punished badly but not life. She at the age of sixteen was probably just trying to keep her older boyfriend happy so she went with him. So when your young you do stupid things and you get punished. So no domt give them life in prison just give them some time but not all the time they have.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 1: Yes since major crimmials need to be put away for their crime like murder, i dont want a murder walking on the streets.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 2: 16 because they really dont know any better, theyre just starting to grow and devolpe and they might do something stupid by accidient
Question 3: I believe it was a good decision to put the girl away to, because she just sat there and watched a man get murder.
David Truer
Question 1: Juveniles should be tried as an adult no matter what or not even be allowed to have parole because they know right from wrong.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 2: Any younger then 13 shouldnt be tried for adult crimes but anyone between 13-17 knows right from wrong.
Question 3: I believe that she got what she deserved because she was there when the crime happened so no matter what she should get in trouble for it. She witnessed and didnt tell anyone about it.
Question 1: I think it depends on what the case is. If it was her case as in murder i think that's the right thing to do.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 2: Under 13 is a good age, because at 13 you do know what you are doing.
Question 3: I think she was just stupid for not turning in the guy, because that made her case worse. She should of not even been there in the first place, but her blaming this stuff on her past is bs.
Question 1: I think based on the crime that the person made, they should be sentenced.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 2: I don't think there should be a cut off age. If a person committed murder, they should go to jail.
Question 3: I think the girl got what she deserves. She should have turned him in rather than going along with what he was doing.
Question 1: I think it depends on the case, and the serverity of it, otherwise i think they should be able to have parole just because they were so young and naive.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 2: I think no matter what the age they should serve at least 5 years in prison, based on how servere it is i think the court should decide.
Question 3: She was being stupid from the beginning and had many choices, and she didn't make any good ones.
Question 1: I think that juveniles should be sentenced to life without parole depending on how bad the crime was.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 2: I think anyone under 18 shouldn't be charged as adults
Question 3: The girl definitely got what she deserved. She should have turned the other guy in
1: I think that it should depend on how severe the crime they commited was.
ReplyDelete2: there should be a hearing to depend whether or not a person should be tried as an adult.
3: she got what she deserved.. she shouldn't have been a part of it if she can't deal with the consequences.
Question 1. Yes because you can't justify murder.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 2. Age 16 because that's too young, 18 is when they should be considered an adult.
Question 3. There's concrete evidence that she was involved in the murder therefore she should take responsibility for her actions.
1.no because they have more than half their life to fix what they did.
ReplyDelete2.16 because that is when most people can fully understand what is going on.
3.there was evidence that she was part of it so she should have to take responsibility for what she did.
1. No I believe they should not be sentenced to life without parole because they had made a mistake, but they have a whole life ahead of themselfs to try and show they are more than what they started as.
ReplyDelete2. I believe at age 14 kids know for the most part what they have done. i belive this is the age at which they should be able to be tried for as adults.
3. She had evidence against her that had pointed to she had a part in it. so as an accomplice i belive she should accept the punishment they give her.
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ReplyDelete1. I think it depends on the age of the minor and the severity of the crime they committed.
ReplyDelete2. I think that by the age of 14, you should know right from wrong. By age 14, again depending on the crime, they can be tried as an adult.
3. There was evidence that showed she was a part of it. If you are part of a murder, you are just as guilty as the person who actually committed the murder.
1. I believe that if the crime is severe enough to warrant that punishment then there is no reason it shouldnt be applied.
ReplyDelete2. By the age 13-14 i believe an individual knows the difference between right and wrong. They can make their own hoices.
3. I believe her punishment was fair. She knew what was going on and didnt do anything to stop it so she is just as guilty as the one who actually committed the murder.
1. Yes they should be sentenced life without parole if the crime warrented such a sentence.
ReplyDelete2. I think that age 10 should the youngest at which someone can recieve an adult sentence because they are old enough to know right from wrong.
3. She knew what she was doing was wrong so she deserves to be in jail.
Question 1 : I think she is too young to be sentenced to life without parole.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 2 : I think after the age of 18, but after 12 years old they can take half of the adult sentences.
Question 3 : I believe that she should be punished, but sent for life is a bit too much for her.
1. I think it depends on the age of the minor and the severity of the crime they committed.
ReplyDelete2. I think that by the age of 14, you should know right from wrong. By age 14, again depending on the crime, they can be tried as an adult.
3. There was evidence that showed she was a part of it. If you are part of a murder, you are just as guilty as the person who actually committed the murder.