Super-Predators Influence Judicial Decisions To Sentence

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1. Discuss how the concept of super-predators influenced judicial decisions to sentence juvenile offenders accused of homicide to life terms.

In the 1980’s and early 1990’s crimes committed by the Juvenile population increased. Crimes such as drug dealing, murder, assault and burglary. Experts called juveniles who commit crimes super-predators and described them as impulsive, remorseless and violent. Legislators were concerned of the teenage violent wave and their agenda was to prove they’re tough on crime. This inspired extreme sentencing during the super-predator era which influenced judicial decisions to sentence juvenile offenders accused of homicide with mandatory life in prison with no parole. For example, Joseph Donovan was 17 years old when sentenced for murder. Joseph was with a group of friends that had a verbal altercation with the victim. Joseph punched the victim, which caused Joseph’s hand to break. Another people involved stabbed and killed the victim. Since Joseph was 17 years old at the time and of age responsibility …show more content…
What did you like most about the video? What did you like least?
What I liked about the video is that I learned the history of creating and changing laws in sentencing juvenile offenders. I learned that the courts created unlawful sentencing that was found unconstitutional. I also liked the that the men who committed crimes as juveniles seemed to be capable of change. They went in front of the parole board and were accountable for their actions and faced their victims’ family. We got to see photos of them evolving from teens to men. I listened to their stories and how their aggressive behavior was caused by their upbringings. For example, Anthony Rolan was 17 when he was sentenced to life in prison with no parole for murder. He stated that he killed his victim because it was a spur at the moment. He described himself as an angry person because if his upbringing. His mother was a drug user and his father sold
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