Reply to Where is the outrage over DC youth gun crime?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][b]The mandatory doesn't seem that harsh though. We are talking about violent armed holdups and other crimes. I honestly have no idea why these pleas are being struck [/b]- in the case cited the kd had been on a spree, identified by eye witness (the victim) and they had him on video. He then got the plea reduction to imitation gun as well as sentencing under the youth act which hides the crime from his record and is more lenient. He is now in MD facing "real charges" for what he did there. 
I agree the brain is undeveloped through 27, I agree lead is a problem. But free houses and birth control have nothing to do with a big gaping loophole for criminals under 22. This  is simply bad legislation sending the message that until you turn 22 its a free for all in dc. If we want to help kids under 22 with a second chance then thats it - ONE second chance, with a serious rehab effort . Wherever they go they get the lead screening counseling job training etc. No t a holding pen.
Unfortunately,it sounds like when this legislation was enacted they did have that in place - a work camp with farm and job training and all kinds of good stuff. The kids rioted and threw furniture. So maybe it is bot to be.
But bad legislation is bad legislation. Our councils job is to legislate. Where are they? They should be examining this closely and if they need to scratch it and start over they should. The recidivism rates and crime sprees these youth act kids go on are absolutely shocking.[/quote]

Again, I am no expert in this area, but it's worth finding out.  Maybe it's a resource issue having to do with not enough room in the prison system.  I literally have no idea, I'm just saying it might be worth examining what's motivating the plea deals.  Plea deals seem to be the American way with regard to criminal prosecution, but if it gets to the point where perpetrators are more or less guaranteed a deal then the law has no teeth at all.[/quote]

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