Tried As Adults by: Latiyah Sullivan

The title should be an insinuation as to what this blog post is about, children being tried as adults for severe cases. Before I delved into this topic, I first did some research, I googled the phrase, "Children tried as adults" and one of the first stories to come up was that of Cassie Jo Stoddart. She was a 16 year old girl stabbed to death in 2006 by two male classmates who considered her their "friend". Both boys were 17 years old, just under the "grown-up" age of 18...and they were both tried as "grown-ups" and sentenced to life in prison. 


Upon reading the story I couldn't believe the family of one of the boys had the audacity to complain and put together a petition to keep him out of jail. It's sickening and I do believe the judge made the right choice. Should children be tried as adults? Whether 10 or 18, I firmly say yes! It must take an unfortunate "accident" for protesters to change their minds : (

"Justice" and "Fair-play"

My opinions on trying/sentencing children as adults in the case of serious offenses and the idea of punishment versus reform/rehabilitation is that its completely justified. I believe that if the child is old enough to commit a crime then he/she should be old enough to face the repercussions. Although, I think it depends on the age of the child and his or hers reasoning for their actions. If they can't fully explain what they did and why they did it then obviously their mentality isn't fully matured and they shouldn't be sentenced or trialed as adults in a case. But if he/she can defend themselves through reasoning, excuses with detailed information then they should be trialed as an adult.

Justice/PlayFair

Trying/Sentencing children as adults: I think that in some cases it is necessary to try children as adults. It really depends on the crime that was committed by the child to decide whether or not he/she should be tried as an adult.

Do Now 1/31/12

When I initially think about what justice means to me the word equality automatically comes to mind. Equality comes in many different shapes and sizes and can cover multiple topics. There are many opinions on whether or not children should be tried as adults in the case of serious offenses. As I stated in my previous blog about the death penalty, I believe that if you don't want to do the time then don't do the crime! Most of the time officials may consider trying a child with adult charges when it has to do with murder, possession of a deadly weapon when already on probation, or consecutive drugs or robbery charges. Even though these children are of young ages and have there whole lives ahead of them that doesn't make up for the fact that you still committed these heinous crimes.

Sentencing Children as Adults : Lanecia Peeler

I think that children should be charged as a adult only if the committed a adult crime. I think children younger than 5 shouldn't be charged as an adult for example  the baby who shot his father with his gun I think that is an accident, and the baby didn't know that the gun was going to hurt and kill his father. I think that young kids do what they see so adults also have a big part of being responsible for what their kids do.Other things kids may also see are on TV and want to do it and get in trouble.The death penalty shouldn't be for kids at all I think that they should just send them to a kids center to see of they can change their life around and if they're on drugs help them get off. According to  http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/ many states don't have the death penalty and most of the high death rates for prison is very high in the south region.

Sentencing for non-violent offenders

I think that a non violent offence should be way less a sentence than violent offenders. Violent offenders , well they are way  less bad crimes than with violence. Like for example people that are innocent but they don't need to be in jail. That could be people that got blaimed for someone else's crime . Also drug use, that is non violent offendent , well some drug use , if they don't use violence. In all reality , i think anyone who uses violence should automatiaclly be punished more than people who don't.

My thoughts 1/31/12:

   I belive that children should only be tryed as an adult when they do a crime worthy of it. An example would be for murder, kidnapping, or assult. If your old enough to try to kill someone, or hurt anyone to the point that they almost died. Then you deserve to pay for it no matter how old you are. Your actions have consequences, and always will.

  The idea of punishment over rehabilitation, my idea is that if it's something small like stealing. I think that people should have the option of rehabilitation. Some times al people need is a little help and that can change them. But if it's an offence bigger then a mistamenor then they deserve to be punished and go to jail. Things have a way of getting back to you, what goes around comes around. It also depends on if you get convicted or not.

What is "justice" and "Fair-Play"?

To my personal opinion Justice is not all that fair because when a crime occurs Law enforcements quickly begin to point fingers. Fair-Play is not so fair because every criminal that may have done the same crime may not get the same time.

And Justice For All?

Being that we have been writing about our views on the death penalty, some other ideas about legal issues have turned up. For example, one thing that I'd like to talk about would be the sentencing of non-violent offenders. I think that someone who commits a minor crime that does not happen to harm anyone or someone's property should not have to go to jail depending on the severity of the crime. I feel this way because these offenses can range anywhere from littering to drugs. I think that in most cases however, since you are not harming anyone, non-violent offenders should not be sentenced to jail time, just something like community service or a fine. as with the topic of trying children as adults, I think that this is unjust in some cases, but sometimes it's necessary. What I think about this is that since most of the time children don't know the consequences of what they're doing, they should not be tried as an adult that would know what they are doing. But sometimes they know what they are doing which might condone this type of trial/sentence. I think that with the trial of children, a mental evaluation of sorts would be necessary to determine how to sentence children.

Death Penalty!

Topic: The trying/sentencing of children as adults in the case of serious offenses

My thought:
For me i think it depends on what motivated the kid to do what he or she did. For example, killing a person. Kids are still immature and doesn't really know whats right and whats wrong. I mean they have like an idea what it is but they don't know if certain things their doing are wrong because they think it's right. Ofcorse there's no doubt if a kid actually does that they need some phycologic help. I think this because a normal child wouldn't be thinking or react like that(killing a person). Unless if the kid show signs that he orshe is mentally crazy. Anything that has to do with killing, murder, sexual assault, or in that matter i think a child should be trial as an adult but i also think they should undergo treatment like hycology wise to help them because theyre still kids.

Some say the fair play of justice is races, and some say its not. It might seem races because of one race committing a crime and the other doing the same crime. The punishment makes it seem races. People figure that if they do something and another person does it too both of you should get the same punishment. You have to think of the degree of what you did. Like you can threaten someone and that will be assault, but if some body hits someone thats assault and battery. The degree of assault has worsened. You can't call it races unless the extent of the crime is the same. Justice is sometimes fair and unfair. Example of unfair justice is how famous people get arrested for the same crimes as regular people, but do less time. Like in 2007 Ti got arrested for machine guns. He only did a year. Ask yourself if you did that would you have only done a year?

Death Penalty Acts

i dont agree there shouldnt be a death and thats just cruel and unusual. i also beleive that the people who get the penalty should be suffering walking around for years being well aware of the horrifying acts they've committed. I dont beleive teeneagers disreguarding the commited crime shouldnt be faced with death, i mean are you seriously? death row. to me its putting them out there misery. but then again there are some issues im on the fence with because the child molesters are people who may possibly need to be put to rest. of all crimes committed that has by far have to be the worse. i mean a child is just so rare and precious and doesnt deserve to be mistreated and i dont have an child but the thoughts of someone even hurting one of my younger loved ones bothers me a fair tremendous amount. it shouldnt be given to non violent offenders though, i think thats just unnescarry. the reason i dont beleive that it should be for murders is due to the fact theres so many and the intensity of the murder shouldnt define the penalty its either you kill and be killed or kill and be sentenced it shouldnt be based upon the act. i would never fully accept the death pentaly its an fencing topic.

Death Penalty 2

The death penalty shouldn't be sentenced to non-violent offenders because the death penalty is involving violence which they were not involved with. A long sentece in jail could usually be a long enough time to think things over and why you are being sentenced that time , so I feel that should be good enough unless you decide to get out and start acting crazy again. If someone is charged over and over for a big crime then they should get the death penalty because they obviously wont learn. Also, I feel that no child should even be offered a death penalty sentence because that's too young to even make certain decisions and you haven't even lived yet. The only way it should get involved is if something horrible was commited that could have been avoided and was intentional.

Death penalty

  I feel that the death penalty is wrong. Killing another person is the not the right thing to do. If we always have to get back at people then there would be no people left on earth. We have to stop this eye for an eye tooth for a tooth thing. The person is probably going to jail for life so that should be punishment enough. And they say that they use the death penalty to put fear into criminals of the death penalty. But how many criminals would murder in the first place,even in a state where there is no capital punishment,if they thought there was a chance of getting caught? Most murderers feel that they have a fool-proof plan to get away with murder. Unfortunately, most are right.

Death Penalty

My thoughts on the death penalty are that it should be in most places for those who actually deserve it after a horrible crime like the one in Chesire, CT. One of the biggest areguements between the death penalty and a life sentence is that it cost way more to put someone to death than it does to keep them alive in a cell.

The Trying as Adults

I think that children should not be tried as adults. The justice system is screwed up already letting criminals out into the world and putting Innocent people into jail, so why should children be tried as adults if they may be put into jail for a crime they never committed. Many kids today are tried as adults for crimes they never committed. Some are even put on a life sentence with no way of getting out. Their whole lives are ruined for something they never did. Only adults should be tried as adults not children.

Death Penalty

I believe that the death penalty should be continued to be used. It is used as the highest punishment for the most offensive and heinous crimes. The death penalty cost more than a life sentence, but once one kills jail won’t stop them from killing again. With this being the highest punishment in all states where it is allowed it is seldom used. For this to be brought to the court room one would have had to kill in a horrid way or killed multiple people. With the death penalty being used only for murder i think that it should be continued to be used.

Uniform Policy.

New this year to Metropolitan is the Uniform policy, prior years Metro had a business casual dress code. The colors are simple: khaki, blue and white. Some students find the dress code to be unenforceable and a little absurd due to the fact that they're in high school. Business casual uniform was easier to obtain because students actually followed the policy more. Some teachers find the dress code to be unenforceable as well.

Q: How do you feel about the uniform policy?
A: In the beginning it was an improvement over our previous dress code.
Q: Do you like the uniform policy?
A: It's good for school if it was actually enforced. The school shouldn't have such a thing if it isn't enforced because it makes the teachers/administrators look foolish.
Q: Do you think that teachers should follow dress code?
A: Teachers are usually informally asked to follow dress code.







Lanecia Follows the Policy



Jasmine Ignores the Uniform Policy



Health and Diet.( Grandmother )

Q1.What are some diets that you tried to lose weight?
A. Oolong tea or Fasting; no eating after 6:00
Q2.Do you ever review the health problems that you can approach during this diet trail?
A. Yes I do because health is important. I always ask my docotor if I should use this system to help me lose the weight. I would rather be on the safe side.
Q3. Does your family get involved with your health life?
A. Yes they constantly call and ask me how am I feeling and I as well keep them informed of my health.

Health And Diets.( student )

Q.1 What are some diets that you tried to lose weight.?
A. Alli , Quick Trim and The Grapefruit Diet are some of the diets that I tried but weren't very consistent with. I believe that is the result of why the diet was not very successful.

Q.2 Do you ever review the health problems that you can approach during this diet trail.?
A. Yes but I dont really care about the health problems I just get concerned about how much weight I can lose and how fast.

Q3. Does your mother or gardian get involved with your health life.?
A. Yes, my mother and my boyfriend is very concerned they think i should do it the "Natural" way but I tried and I hate running on the tread mill.

Theme #3 Marine Cadets

Angel Rodriguez
SOURCES: Mr. Mags, Ray allen, Freshmen "davis"

QUESTIONS:
Do You think the marine cadets is a good organization?

Does it build leadership?

Would you recommend it to other people?

If more people were involved what can it do for the community?

cyber fascination MID-TERM

INTERVIEWEE: Mother

Q-how many hours a day do you spend on the computer
A- Probably about 30 minutes . I don't really do any work computer related except send emails.

Q-On a scale of 1-10 how important is the social network to you
A- Ide say about a 7,  I like to try and keep in touch with my friends from college and high school and my family members that don't live up here and don't speak to on a daily basis on Facebook.

Q-Why is the Internet so fascinating to you
A-The Internet is connected to EVERYTHING! What cant you see or look up on the Internet. its very resourceful and comes in handy all the time. People use the Internet for millions of different reasons.

Q-How drastically do you think your life would be changed with out the Internet and other cyber related gadgets
A-I probably wouldn't have my job, millions of people would out of work. computers holds alot of data and information that not only myself but the world needs . how would doctors possibly be able diagnose different diseases and illnesses that patients have. without phones how would we get in touch with one another and since we have no Internet emails wouldn't be possible.

Cyber Fascination MID-TERM

Interviewer -Crystal Ashley
Interviewee-Gretel Diglio (Student)

Q- How many hours a day do you spend on the computer?
A-I spend about an hour and a half to two hours a day on the computer.
Q-On a scale of 1-10 how important is social network to you?
A-I would probably say about a 5
Q-Why is the Internet so fascinating to you?
A-It allows me to interact with my friends and people who I cant interact with on a daily basis.
Q-How drastically do you think your life would be changed with out the Internet and cyber related gadgets?
A-Without the Internet I think I would be fine but without my cell phone and not being able to talk to people and listen to music I'de most likely go crazy

Death Penalty Thoughts

My thoughts on the death penalty are that it's really severe and I feel only people who killed someone should get it. But not just anyone who kills someone. I feel if they are under 18, they should just get maybe 25 years and mandatory paroll and therapy. I also feel that anyone who is charged with murder, should be evaluated by a psychotherapist. If they are proven to be crazy or mentally ill, then I don't believe they are responsible, not matter how old they are. I think they should be put in a home under constant surveillance and monitored at all times - not for the death penalty. I honestly believe it should be up to the victim (if still alive) on weather or not they should recieve the death penalty or serve the rest of their life in jail. I don't think it should be one set way - you did this & that, you get the death penalty. I think it should depend on the state of mind the person was in when the crime was committed, the criminal's age, the victims wishes, the victim's family's wishes, and how bad the crime actually was. I'm not saying the victim or their family chooses, but I think they should have some say in what happens to the person who committed the crime against them. So yeah, those are my thoughts on the death penalty. I'm not neccessarily against it, nor am I neccessarily for it. I think it honestly depends on the factors I listed above.

Death Penalty

I don't have a clear standpoint on death penalty. I believe that it depends on the person and the situation. If the person committed a gruesome crime then yes maybe he/she deserves the death penalty. But on the other hand i believe that everyone deserves to live their life regardless of the decisions that they made. Being sentenced to death is a crime in itself. How can you penalize someone for their crimes with a death sentence? Doesn't that make the officers murders as well? In all I'm not really sure how i feel about death penalty.

QUiCK WRiTE.

I oppose the Death Pentalty. I belive that if you didnt give life to somone then you do not have the right to take life away. Life is prescious and when God or what ever you believe in is ready to rake life away from you then it will happen. People nor the governmental body should determine when to take someones life. I also believe that there is no crime that can cost you your life.

Metro Uniforms

Starting in the 2011-2012 Academic school year, Metropolitan Business Academy established a strict dress code/uniform which is white or navy blue polo shirt or  sweater paired with navy blue or khaki pants. I did a quick interview with two people, Mr. Monahan, the Journalism teacher here at MBA and Crystal Ashley, a junior here at MBA. 

Interview with Mr. Monahan:

Q: Do you like the new uniforms?

A: "Yes, I do. I think they look sharp and are more enforceable than last year's "business casual" uniform."

Q: Do you feel these new uniforms are a positive influence on MBA?

A: "Yes. Like I said before, they look very sharp and are easier to enforce. They also build a sense of "community" within the school."

Q: "If you were a student here at MBA, can you honestly say you would follow the uniform policy on a day-to-day basis?"

A: "Yes I would, however, I'd add my own personal flare to it."

-

Interview with Crystal Ashley:

Q: Do you like the new uniforms?

A: "Not at all."

Q: Do you feel the new uniforms are a positive thing here at MBA?

A: "In a way they are because when everyone's wearing the same thing, it avoids the problem of bullying based on what you're wearing."

Q: Which would you rather have; uniforms, or be able to wear whatever you want?

A: "I'd guess I'd rather have the uniforms because of what I said before...It doesn't allow students to pick on/bully other students based on what they're wearing weather it be the most popular trend or the worst outfit they had ever seen."

I did not get a chance to interview the principal.

My personal opinion:

At first, I hated the uniforms. Now, I guess I'd say I'm used to them and I honestly don't really mind them. The only time it really bothers me is when I feel like wearing sweat pants and a hoodie, I can't. Well I do, but I have to constantly worry about getting caught. However, it is a lot easier getting dressed, having a good idea of exactly what you're gonna wear. Over all, I guess I don't really care about the uniforms, I just wish we had at least one day a week to dress down. I also think since seniors will be going on internships and such, I think the dress code/uniform should only apply to the 9th-11th grade. Or, they could have done it like Hillhouse; this year, only the freshmen class wears uniform, next year the sophomores and freshman wear the uniform and son on. So yeah, that's my personal opinion/outlook on the uniforms her at MBA. (:

Quick-Write

There are many opinons when it comes to the topic of the death penalty and wheather or not its a beneficial thing . I personally am for the death penalty . I was always taught that if you cant do the time then dont do the crime. In other words people who recieve the death penalty are more then likely people who are repetitive offenders and are a serious danger to not only themselves but others as well and a jail cell cant hold them forever. The crimes that these persons do to recieve this sentence have most likely been cerial killers, rapers and people who do henious ,unthinkable and quite disturbing things to people who dont deserve it.

The New of The New Haven Register

I like this idea because it gives people the opportunity to discuss news topics and contribute their ideas about whats going on in the news. I might participate by going to get a snack or coffee from their coffee shop that would be inculded into the new facility, I like the idea theat they are open to having newsgatherings.