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WAXAHACHIE - State Representative Jim Pitts has a plan to ensure faith in the Texas criminal justice system’s ability to deal with violent youth. Pitts is calling for lowering the age that children may be tried as adults.
Few if any one thought 10 or 15 years ago we as a society would face juveniles as violent as we’ve seen in recent years. So it is understandable lawmakers might want to re-consider laws affecting youngsters. But another question is how far should the laws go? The nation was emotionally torn by the violence in Jonesboro, Arkansas where 5 people were fatally shot allegedly by two boys. Under Arkansas law the two one 13-years-old and the other 11-years-old may be released on their 18th birthdays if convicted. State Representative Jim Pitts of Waxahachie wants to make sure in Texas violent juvenile offenders won’t escape punishment. Representative Pitts says, “Are our laws too lenient for these kids? We’ve got to think of the victims when working on legislation.”
Pitts is proposing a 5 point plan where he wants kids as young as 10-years-old to be certified to stand trial as adults. He’s calling for 11-year-olds to be eligible for capitol punishment. He wants determinant sentencing eliminated when crimes are pre-mediated. The plan allows juveniles to be sentenced to life without parole. And the plan eliminate a minimum legal age for committing a crime. However, no less than Governor George W. Bush opposes lowering the age for capitol punishment. Governor Bush says, “I 1994 and I think so in 1998.”
Rita Calvert is the Executive Director of the Dallas Peace Center. The Center opposes the death penalty for the young and old. Calvert believes violent youth should be punished for their crimes, then rehabilitated. But she doesn’t feel as though society should seek revenge on kids. Calvert says, “You can’t drive, get married, drink or vote. So why are you believe certifying juveniles at 14 is the appropriate age. I thought so in all of a sudden competent to stand trial?”
Pitts says he wants the age of eligibility lowered from 17 to 11. However, he is not calling for 11-year-olds to be executed. The current state law says no one younger than 17 should be put to death and he wants that to stay right where it is.
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