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Are juvenile bank robbers tried as adults?

Are Juvenile Bank Robbers Tried as Adults?

When a juvenile commits a serious crime like armed bank robbery, a big question is whether they should be tried as an adult or not. There’s arguments on both sides. I’m gonna break it down for you.

First off, what does it mean to be tried as an adult? If your under 18 and commit a crime, your usually started out in juvenile court. But for serious stuff, the prosecutor can file a motion to transfer you to adult criminal court. If that happens, your treated just like an adult defendant.

The judge will decide whether or not to transfer you based on stuff like how serious the crime is, your past record, if you can be rehabilitated, etc. Each state has different laws on what age or crimes let juveniles be transferred. But armed robbery is usually a transferable offense cause its super serious and dangerous.

If your case stays in juvenile court, theres more focus on rehab instead of hardcore punishment. You’ll have more privacy too cause juvenile records are usually sealed. But in adult court, your facing the same convictions and sentences as adults. That can mean years in adult prison.

So should juveniles accused of armed bank robbery be tried as adults? Heres some pros and cons:

Pros of Trying Juveniles as Adults for Armed Robbery

• They committed an adult crime, so they should do adult time.
• It deterrs other kids from robbing banks.
• Justice for the victims.
• Public safety – they’re dangerous.

When a kid brings a gun into a bank and threatens to shoot people, thats an extremely severe crime. Robbing a bank at gunpoint traumatizes the victims and endangers lives. So trying juveniles as adults shows their crimes are taken seriously.

It also sends a message to deter other youth from robbing banks. If they know they’ll be prosecuted as an adult, maybe they’ll think twice. Some people argue that the prospect of adult punishment makes juvenile offenders think about consequences more.

And victims of armed bank robbery deserve justice. When an armed robber terrorizes innocent bank tellers and customers, making the offender accountable shows respect for the victims. Sending the juvenile to adult court acknowledges the gravity of the crime.

Finally, some say trying juveniles as adults for armed robbery is about public safety. A kid who robs banks with a gun has shown their capable of extreme violence. So for the community’s protection, they need to be confined long-term like an adult. Otherwise, they may just keep committing violent crimes.

Cons of Trying Juveniles as Adults

• Kids brains are still developing.
• Adult system is too harsh for juveniles.
• They have potential for rehabilitation.
• Increases recidivism.

Now heres some reasons against prosecuting juveniles as adults for armed bank robbery. First, research shows teen brains are still maturing. The frontal lobes responsible for judgement arnt fully developed til your mid 20s. So juveniles are more impulsive and dont think about consequences as much. There judgement is literally not adult level yet.

Because of this, putting kids in the adult system seems overly harsh. Adult court and prison are set up for fully mature adults. But juveniles mental immaturity reduces their culpability, so they deserve more leniency. Thats the philosophy behind having a separate juvenile justice system.

Also, juveniles have way more potential for rehabilitation than adults. Their still developing, so with the right interventions, many youth offenders can be reformed. But the adult system focuses on punishment, not rehabilitation. So trying kids as adults robs them of their chance to change.

Finally, research shows prosecuting juveniles as adults may actually increase reoffending. Adult records cant be sealed, so the juvenile is marked for life. And serving time with adults can turn low-level young offenders into career criminals. So ironically, transferring juveniles to adult court may make us less safe.

What Does the Law Say?

The Supreme Court has given states a lot of flexibility on juvenile prosecution. Heres some key rulings and what they mean:

• Haley v. Ohio (1948) – Confessions from juveniles need special care.
• Kent v. United States (1966) – Transfer process needs standards.
• Roper v. Simmons (2005) – No death penalty for juveniles.
• Graham v. Florida (2010) – No life without parole for non-homicides.
• Miller v. Alabama (2012) – No mandatory life without parole sentences.

So the Supreme Court has placed some limits, banning certain harsh sentences for kids. But states still have a lot of flexibility in trying juveniles as adults. And armed robbery is generally considered a serious enough crime for adult prosecution.

Most states set a minimum age, usually around 14-16, before juveniles can be transferred. Below that, kids are only tried in juvenile court no matter what. For older teens charged with serious felonies like armed robbery, adult prosecution is on the table.

Some states have statutory exclusion laws that require certain offenses like armed robbery to be started in adult court. Others have prosecutors directly file charges in adult court. Overall, armed bank robbery is prosecuted as an adult crime across the U.S.

Famous Cases

Lets look at some real-life examples of juveniles who robbed banks and got tried as adults:

• Corey Donaldson – 14 years old when he robbed a bank in Arizona in 2021. Tried as an adult and sentenced to 7 years in prison.
• Jesse James Hollywood – 17 when he masterminded a California bank robbery that turned into murder. Tried as adult and got life without parole.
• Willie Bosket – 15 when he murdered two men during NYC subway robberies in 1978. His case led lawmakers to lower the age for trying juveniles as adults in New York.
• Tony Hicks and T.J. Tremble – 17 and 15 when they robbed a bank in Indiana in 1990, killing a female customer. Both sentenced to 60 years after being waived to adult court.

These cases show how serious crimes like homicide during a robbery almost always result in adult prosecution, even for 14 or 15 year olds. Armed bank robbery is considered an adult offense across the country.

What About Rehabilitation?

While adult prosecution might be appropriate for punishment, what about rehabilitating young bank robbers so they dont reoffend? Some ideas:

• Mentoring programs with adult role models.
• Restorative justice like reconciliation with victims.
• Educational and job skills programs.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy.
• Graduated release to help transition back into society.

Even in the adult system, a focus on rehabilitation is important so juveniles dont become career criminals. States like Connecticut and Missouri have shifted resources to evidence-based youth programs with good results.

For kids who do get released from adult prison, transition services are key. Otherwise, putting them right back in their old environment can lead to more crime. Programs that help juveniles successfully reintegrate into the community are important for rehabilitation and public safety.

What’s the Bottom Line?

At the end of the day, armed bank robbery is considered an adult crime across America. Juveniles who threaten violence with guns during robberies are almost always prosecuted as adults. The severity of the offense and risk to public safety outweigh the youth of the offender.

However, adult prosecution shouldn’t be the end of the road. States must still provide opportunities for rehabilitation, especially transition programs for juveniles returning to the community. While punishment is often needed, reform should still be a goal with teen offenders.

The debate continues on trying juveniles as adults. But when kids commit dangerous crimes like armed robbery, the focus shifts to accountability and public safety. Still, we must ask if adult prosecution ultimately serves juveniles and society. Does it deter crime and rehabilitate youth? Or increase reoffending? These questions need more research and thoughtful reforms.