CJS 240 Week 5 DQ 1

CJS 240 Week 5 DQ 1

What is more important—freedom of press to publish pictures and names of juvenile offenders or juveniles’ rights to private court proceedings? Explain your answer.

Sample Answer

Response 1 

It essentially depends on the situations surrounding the case. It is my belief that an individual that is going to be implicated with the juvenile ought to be on a need to know starting point. If there is a ongoing danger to others, then the community and the press should be allowed to distribute pictures and names. The principal concern with doing this is that as a minor there are many concerns with the child’s future that could potentially be jeopardized by the printing of their names and pictures. This could have affects on present or potential education, employment, and relationships. On the other hand, the community’s security is vital if the adolescent criminal continues to be a threat. It would be a misfortune to see a child commit a crime under peer pressure, or a crime that was really petty or irrelevant and have this type of act destroy their young life. It is my belief that it is all based upon the circumstance, and as to what is and not shown. If a child is labeled as a juvenile offender in their youth, and it is published then the juvenile will more than likely continue on a criminal path and become an adult offender. After a child or an adult has a record they may feel as though there is no hope for them because they will never have the ability to escape the label of offender………………………………………………………………………….

Response 2

I believe that the press should stay away from juvenile offenders. When you are young you do things and sometimes it is a must so that people can learn from their mistakes. Sometimes even with juveniles it is a learning process that we all as adolescents must grow and experience the learning process. Writing things about juvi’s could back fire on their families. They need their room to grow. I am not saying keep them completely under the wing of the press and out of the lime light but what I am saying is that they shouldn’t be exploited and made of an example of. Writing what happened in a brief description is one thing but in detail is an……………………………………………………………..