Does prosecuting juvenile offenders in adult courts deter and reduce crime?

According to studies cited in an editorial, the answer is a clear no.

It is reported that juveniles who serve “adult time” typically go on to commit more violent crimes later on than juveniles processed through the juvenile justice system.

So where do kids face justice? And where should they face justice?

Another study concludes that some 200,000 children run through the adult court system for nonviolent offenses could be better dealt with through the juvenile system.

Apparently, several states routinely escalate kids into the adult justice system for fairly minor infractions.

According to the article, several states are now acting to make it easier to keep juvenile offenders in the juvenile justice system, in the hope of better outcomes for youthful offenders – and society as a whole.

Read more in this New York Times editorial: Juvenile Injustice.