BackgroundIn 1961 a women had been raped and robbed in her own apartment. They later traced fingerprints back to a 16 year old boy named, Morris Kent. He had a previous record with a few small robberies as well as a few major burglaries when he was only 14. Having been under the authorities of Juvenile court and now committing such a heinous crime the court decided to have his trial as an adult in criminal court. This is what later sparked the famous "Kent vs. U.S." trial. |
Facts of the case
A lawyer was hired to represent Kent and continued to fight for Kent's case to remain in juvenile court.
Later, the judge ultimately decided there would be no hearing and Morris Kent would be sent to criminal
court to stand trial.
The court had made the decision on the fact that the crimes were so heinous they would be felonies if
committed by an adult. Therefore agreeing that Kent be convicted as an adult. They would also later decide
that rehabilitation or any state- sponsored program of treatment would be deemed unnecessary.
Later, the judge ultimately decided there would be no hearing and Morris Kent would be sent to criminal
court to stand trial.
The court had made the decision on the fact that the crimes were so heinous they would be felonies if
committed by an adult. Therefore agreeing that Kent be convicted as an adult. They would also later decide
that rehabilitation or any state- sponsored program of treatment would be deemed unnecessary.
Effects of the caseAfter the trial, Morris Kent had been found guilty and charged with 6 counts of housebreaking and robbery, and 1 count of rape. He was sentenced to 30 to 90 years in prison
The long term effects had a major impact on how juveniles were treated in court. The seriousness of the crime would impact whether the juveniles case would be heard in criminal court as oppose to juvenile court.They also had a chance to prove themselves and present on why their case should remain in juvenile court. This had many impacts on how later children convicts would be sentenced in the future. 8th amendmentAfter the case, the way juveniles were treated was widely changed everywhere.
In many states a lot of children under 18 can now undergo their trial in criminal court. It also helped abolish the death penalty for juveniles because it went against the 8th amendment's "cruel and unusual punishment." Reflection |
I agree with this case's decision in sending juveniles to court if they commit heinous crimes. They should be responsible for their actions, and should not get a free ride just because their still considered kids. This also might influence kids to be more reckless because their actions won't be fully punished. However, they are just kids, they might realize that their actions would get them in a bad place but, they mainly act based on their emotions. Kids could be heavily taken over by emotions and that would influence them to act really poorly.
refrences
http://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/383/541
http://sixthamendment.org/the-right-to-counsel-for-children-in-juvenile-transfer-hearings/
http://children-laws.laws.com/juvenile-law/juvenile-court/kent-v-united-states
http://sixthamendment.org/the-right-to-counsel-for-children-in-juvenile-transfer-hearings/
http://children-laws.laws.com/juvenile-law/juvenile-court/kent-v-united-states