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When Kids Get LifeGraded Discussion Questions
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Objective…• Investigate the criminal judicial systems’
practice of sentencing juveniles to life in prison.
• Evaluate the social, moral, biological, legal and political implications of sentencing a juvenile to life in prison.
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1) Is the purpose of criminal justice retribution or
rehabilitation of criminals?
Retribution - Offenders should be punished for committing crimes when they freely violate existing social rules. …An “eye for an eye”
Rehabilitation – To restore to good health or useful life through therapy and education.
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Retribution or Rehabilitation
2) Which one of these is more valuable to society?
Explain why.
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Retribution or Rehabilitation3) How would our prison system be
different depending on which of these goals we decide is most important?
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Retribution or Rehabilitation
4) How can this question be applied to these cases?
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5) Are there circumstances that mitigate the seriousness of a murder?
Mitigating circumstance - A circumstance that does not exonerate a person, but due to extenuating circumstances reduces the penalty associated with the offense .
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6) Are there circumstances where a murder can be justified?
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7) Is it possible (or even necessary) to forgive or excuse any of these boys because of what had happened to them?
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8) Is it possible (or necessary) to give them a lesser sentence
because of the circumstances of the crime?
…Or the evidence against them?
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9) Do juveniles deserve special consideration under the law, or
should they be treated like adults?
• Why? …What is it that makes juveniles different? • At what age should they be considered adults?
• Are there times when we should make exceptions?
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The following questions are based on the Upfront article Crime &
Punishment…
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10) Do you think that life without parole sentences for
teens violate the 18th Amendment's ban on “cruel and unusual” punishments?
Why or Why not?
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11) Do you believe that kids under 18 who commit serious crimes are less responsible for
their actions than adults?
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12) Do you agree or disagree with the Supreme Court’s decision (Roper v.
Simmons) to ban the death penalty for juveniles?
Why or Why not?
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13) According to recent studies, in what ways are teen brains different from adult brains?
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14) Do you agree with Justice Elena Kagan that young people
have a “heightened capacity” for change?
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4) How might the judicial system help young offenders
change their behaviors?
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5) Why did the courts get tough on juvenile defenders in the
80s and 90s?
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The Columbine High School Massacre - April 20, 1999- Harris & Klebold murdered 12 students & 1 teacher
- Wounded 21
6) If Dylan Klebold & Eric Harris had lived to stand trial and
sentencing would you feel the same way?