Samyika Shakur - Essay Example

Running head: Sanyika Shakur Juvenile court system and Sanyika Shakur Introduction Juvenile court system is implemented in many countries in order to address the crimes committed by juveniles. Juveniles at their immature periods can involve in criminal activities because of so many external parameters. The segregation between good and evil is difficult at a young age and hence the criminal system has implemented separate procedures in order to deal with juvenile crimes. Same crime committed by a juvenile and an adult was perceived differently by the criminal justice systems in many countries. Juvenile criminals usually escape from severe punishments. Juvenile court system emphasise on the corrective measures of the juvenile criminals rather than the punishment. The history of Sanaika Shakur is a better example to analyse the effectiveness of juvenile court system.
Juvenile court system and Sanyika Shakur
“The juvenile criminal justice system operates according to the premise that youth are fundamentally different than adults, both in terms of level of responsibility and potential for rehabilitation. The treatment and successful reintegration of youth into society are the primary goals of the juvenile justice system, along with overall public safety” (Juvenile Law) The story of Sanyika Shakur is well matched for analyzing effectiveness of juvenile court system. He has started his criminal activities at the age of 13. He has been imprisoned and claimed that he has changed his character and criminal behavior after a prolonged stay in the prison. The police and the court were believed that the corrective measures taken in the prison were successful and released him on parole. He has written an autobiography also which explains how he has started his criminal behavior and the factors which affect him to engage in criminal activities. All these tactics were just to convince the court in order to get parole. But even on parole, he has committed serious crimes which forced the police to arrest him again and again.
The effectiveness of juvenile court system has been questioned by many citing the example of Sanyika Shakur. Many people believe that there are people who are born criminals like Sanyika Shakur. For them, the current juvenile justice system is not effective. The main objective of the juvenile justice system is to prevent the future illegal activities from the juveniles and for that purpose most of the punishments for juvenile crimes were limited to sending the juveniles to the juvenile homes where lessons for becoming good citizens of a country will be transferred to the children under the strict guidance of the coaching staff. But criminals like Sanyika Shakur, often try to utilize the loop holes of juvenile court system in order to escape from harsh punishments.
Conclusions
Juvenile criminals should be given an opportunity to correct themselves and for that purpose the court should send them to proper juvenile homes in order to correct them. At the same time, it is necessary that the juvenile court system should carefully watch the progress of a juvenile under their supervision before allowing them parole or probation. Sanyika Shakur’s case should be properly evaluated by the juvenile court system in order to make necessary changes in their policies and procedures.
References
1. Juvenile Law, 2008, Retrieved on 9 September 2009 from
http://www.lawyershop.com/practice-areas/criminal-law/juvenile-law/ Read More