I think that the way our bill describes needing rehabilitation is a good point because after all (most of us) learn from our stupid mistakes and by giving all juveniles a chance to see how they can change and not have this problem again will not only increase their possibilities in life but also the safety of our society. This website has some good information about the positive affects on how rehab is what juveniles wished they did after a sentence or arrest.
http://voices.yahoo.com/rehabilitation-juvenile-justice-system-3979980.html
Hope this helps....

"Research conducted in juvenile justice settings around the world consistently shows that young people who come to the attention of criminal justice agencies have multiple problems and experience high levels of need across all areas of functioning."
"Successful rehabilitation can impact these areas by decreasing the workload of these programs. Because those who complete rehabilitation are less likely to re-offend law enforcement can focus on current offenders. Those in rehabilitation programs or who have completed rehabilitation are less likely to increase the case load in the courts. Juveniles who have received may or may not be on probation. Those who are on probation may have their probation decreased upon successful completion of rehabilitation. Rehabilitation can decrease the burden on the corrections system by decreasing the number of juveniles that are incarcerated. Community services and intervention programs may experience an increase in juveniles enrolled in their programs. This will likely be due to juveniles complying with their rehabilitation programs. While each of these areas are impacted differently, the outcome is positive because the number of juvenile offenders is likely to decrease."
These were very helpful.

I think that our bill should note about the many differences in juvenile crimes. Each one may have its own quirks and so we need to make sure that we aren't putting a band-aid on something that doesn't need a band-aid. Some crimes like trespassing and vandalism seem like minor crimes compared to murder or rape. Kids can' get a free pass to just get a lecture. Their actions are wrong and we need to make sure they understand that but also aren't exposed to more violence and crimes than they would if they were to be sentenced to adult imprisonment. What if we also set up our bill to also look at family patterns of crime as well as their own pattern. For example: if a kid was to get a small sentence on rape, and then they were suspected of that again, the punishment would and should obviously be more severe. Juveniles are our future generation and if we let people of easy we may be cause a more violent future or a very slow work force if everyone were to be in prison for crimes. Punishments need to fit the crime. Not too harsh and also not too lenient. Our bill should address all of these concerns if we are to have a better future for juveniles and everyone effected by their actions.

This is from Maeve and Bailey.
Here is the bill breifly.
Everyone younger than 15, no matter what crime they commit, will go to a juvenile court and then a juv. jail if found guilty. For all lesser crimes, juv. will go to juvenile courts, juv. jails/ juv. rehabilitiation centers. For all 15 to 18 yearolds that commit murder or rape, and are guilty, will go to an adult court adn adult jail. Rehabilitation after the sentence/ during is mandatory for all juveniles no matter whazt the crime.
Also if the legal guardian of the juvenile is not suted to raising them, the child can be temporarily/permanantly.

Our bill sounds repeative. Can we change it?

This website talks a ton about the impact on everyone impacted by juvenile offenders. Very helpful!