Kids usually get into a mischief or two during childhood, and making this their label for life is unfair. That is why the law, in general, treats minor offenders lightly because it believes that there are still lots of chances for the minor to change for the better.
The Centre on Research for Youth at Risk revealed that identifying the specific risk factors related to the crime committed by juveniles would reduce behavioral problems in the future.
This indicates that minor instances of criminality when a person is young should not disadvantage him, and people in his circle should be educated about the facts surrounding minor juvenile crimes.
According to a research published by The Youth Court of New Zealand:
“A quarter of young men will commit at least one offence during their formative years but most of these will desist from crime and go on to settle into law-abiding lifestyles by their mid-twenties, having committed only a few trivial crimes.”
The study, also, disclosed that the environment in which the minor exists is a crucial factor on how he grows up and develops.
Early intervention in the family and school are significant during the growing years of a child. The inculcation of moral values also takes place during these formative years of a person.
Being disadvantaged or not is, therefore, up to environment that the minor would be exposed to when he grows older.
If people around these minors are well-informed that these young offenders are not criminals per se, but just
misguided kids, who want to explore things, then the situation, would turn as an advantage for them.
People would treat them fairly and with utmost consideration.
Another study written by Professor Huw Williams entitled: brain injury should be taken into consideration with minors involved in serious or minor criminality.
A young person’s minor brush up with the law would not disadvantage him if he grows up in a supportive and concerned society.
On the other hand, if he grows up in a community that tends to judge him by his past mistakes, then his past incidents would serve as a fatal disadvantage.
This would drive him deeper into the abyss of despair, and consequently, criminality. People should remember that a young person’s brain develops until he reaches the age of 18, or sometimes 20; thus, should be granted support and certain considerations until his brain has fully developed and he could decide as a mature individual.
