Guess the Outcome of Fairfax County's Repeat Car Thief Nearing 18 – Justice or Failure?

[Anonymous]

Let’s play a game: What outcome do you think it would be for this situation with our new Fairfax County decarceration policy?

Here's the scenario: A 17-year-old, already on probation for stealing a car, steals another one and rides around in it with even younger juveniles. When caught, this repeat offender faces the possibility of significant consequences for his actions. This teen is close to turning 18 and could potentially be tried as an adult.

What do you think should happen? I'll let you all answer and respond with the actual outcome later.

[Anonymous]

I'll guess on the actual outcome: nothing happens, guy becomes a lifelong criminal.

[Anonymous]

He should remain in juvenile court so that we don’t destroy his life. Maybe he could go to a youth camp or something. He definitely needs some sort of heavy intervention. The fact that he was riding around with other younger kids is a sign that he is not a full on adult criminal. It’s cheaper in the long run if we can rehabilitate this young man rather than break him in adult prison.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He should remain in juvenile court so that we don’t destroy his life. Maybe he could go to a youth camp or something. He definitely needs some sort of heavy intervention. The fact that he was riding around with other younger kids is a sign that he is not a full on adult criminal. It’s cheaper in the long run if we can rehabilitate this young man rather than break him in adult prison.

It must be nice living in La La Land.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He should remain in juvenile court so that we don’t destroy his life. Maybe he could go to a youth camp or something. He definitely needs some sort of heavy intervention. The fact that he was riding around with other younger kids is a sign that he is not a full on adult criminal. It’s cheaper in the long run if we can rehabilitate this young man rather than break him in adult prison.

It must be nice living in La La Land.

What a compelling counterargument. I can tell that you have really thought this issue through.

[Anonymous]

This isn't DC. He's in big trouble.

[Anonymous]

Nothing will happen. Catch and release is everywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He should remain in juvenile court so that we don’t destroy his life. Maybe he could go to a youth camp or something. He definitely needs some sort of heavy intervention. The fact that he was riding around with other younger kids is a sign that he is not a full on adult criminal. It’s cheaper in the long run if we can rehabilitate this young man rather than break him in adult prison.

It must be nice living in La La Land.

Most criminals don't get better. Rehabilitation, wrap around services, and therapy don't work well to reduce crime. The most effective way to reduce crime is by throwing people who commit crime in jail to prevent them from harming other people. Most kids are not antisocial criminals that steal cars or act out violently. The people that do this should be locked up to protect the rights of everyone else.

[Anonymous]

Actual outcome: This teen was allowed to plead down to just 2 months of jail for unauthorized use of a vehicle. Despite turning 18 in a few months, the authorities never considered trying him as an adult.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Actual outcome: This teen was allowed to plead down to just 2 months of jail for unauthorized use of a vehicle. Despite turning 18 in a few months, the authorities never considered trying him as an adult.

They should get at least ten years in jail. 20 would be ideal though. Need to keep them in jail until they are out of their high risk age window for reoffending.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Actual outcome: This teen was allowed to plead down to just 2 months of jail for unauthorized use of a vehicle. Despite turning 18 in a few months, the authorities never considered trying him as an adult.

We all knew this was what would happen. Not punishing crime is the highest priority for judges and prosecutors these days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Actual outcome: This teen was allowed to plead down to just 2 months of jail for unauthorized use of a vehicle. Despite turning 18 in a few months, the authorities never considered trying him as an adult.

I notice you cannot provide a link. There aren't a lot of carjackings in Fairfax and I couldn't find one matching your description in a search.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actual outcome: This teen was allowed to plead down to just 2 months of jail for unauthorized use of a vehicle. Despite turning 18 in a few months, the authorities never considered trying him as an adult.

I notice you cannot provide a link. There aren't a lot of carjackings in Fairfax and I couldn't find one matching your description in a search.

Juvenile cases are not public. Just letting you all know from my source

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actual outcome: This teen was allowed to plead down to just 2 months of jail for unauthorized use of a vehicle. Despite turning 18 in a few months, the authorities never considered trying him as an adult.

I notice you cannot provide a link. There aren't a lot of carjackings in Fairfax and I couldn't find one matching your description in a search.

Juvenile cases are not public. Just letting you all know from my source

There are news reports of local carjackings by 17 year old drivers. There was the recent carjacking from Vienna metro that ended in a crash. There was the carjacking that ended in a crash into the gas station pump. There was the crash with 6 passengers injured including 5 ejected. Etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He should remain in juvenile court so that we don’t destroy his life. Maybe he could go to a youth camp or something. He definitely needs some sort of heavy intervention. The fact that he was riding around with other younger kids is a sign that he is not a full on adult criminal. It’s cheaper in the long run if we can rehabilitate this young man rather than break him in adult prison.

It must be nice living in La La Land.

Most criminals don't get better. Rehabilitation, wrap around services, and therapy don't work well to reduce crime. The most effective way to reduce crime is by throwing people who commit crime in jail to prevent them from harming other people. Most kids are not antisocial criminals that steal cars or act out violently. The people that do this should be locked up to protect the rights of everyone else.

Not true. A more significant number of these criminals stop by the time they hit their mid to late 20s.