Daily Prompt February 12, 2026

 

If you had the power to change one law, what would it be and why?

Didn’t even have to think about my answer to this ..

My answer,

“The “Age limits” of our “Youth Justice Act”

I believe, no matter what the youth’s circumstances, the age for trying a youth as an adult, for serious nonviolent crimes, should be lowered to 16.

Crimes of violence, weapons and/or causing death should lower to 14.

“Why?” You ask.

Times have changed.

Youth have changed.

(Especially inner city youth)

Today’s youth are often lured into gang life with promises of wealth, drugs and Brotherhood. (In that order.)

Most come from broken or single parent homes where money is sparse.

The gangleaders take advantage of this.

They begin by luring the youth in with “gifts” of money, free marijuana and the belief they are valued members of the gang.

They are definitely “valued”. In fact they are one of the most important cogs in the gears of the organization.

“Why?” You ask.

Two main reasons …

The first being their age.

Second, their youthful gullibility.

These adult lowlifes know that the Youth Justice Act is designed to “rehabilitate” rather than “incarcerate” youth.

They also know a youth caught with or using a weapon will get released on bail to their parents or parent and come time for trial will get an aversive noncustodial sentence.

Our famous flawed Youth Justice System and it’s numerous flawed “Programs”.

Many times we hear on the news of teenagers stabbing, shooting or home invading victims.

Often in the newscast we will hear that the offender “was out on bail” at time of arrest.

Not often do we hear they were adult gangsters!

“Why?” You ask.

Because if the adult gangster commits such an offence they are destined to serving lengthy sentences in a Federal Prison.

The adult’s send the youth into the slaughter.

The youth, on most occasions, will get counseling. If they are given a custodial sentence it will definitely not suit the severity of the crime.

This includes manslaughter! The average sentence for a youth who has killed someone is at the most a mere five short years. They would be eligible for “day parole” in twenty months and “full parole” in forty months.

Far more lenient than an adult’s sentence for the identical charge.

By lowering the age thresholds should, hopefully, make a youth think twice before committing serious crimes if they fear being tried as an adult and in danger of receiving far more severe sentences.

It will also undermine the adults influence on youth.

Youth crime will always take place.

We will never stop the adults recruiting.

But, we can slow down the rate of recuiting.