The system cannot treat all juvenile offenders the same
As the newly appointed Maricopa County Attorney, my focus is to provide ethical leadership in the true spirit of public service.
Prosecutors in this office believe deeply in the work that they do and are hardworking, committed professionals who seek to protect our community and hold criminals accountable. It is not an easy calling.
I recognize that prosecutors wield great power and believe that ethical and responsible use of this prosecutor’s power begins with character-driven leadership. This is why I sought this position.
A recent op-ed (“County attorney is using bad science to lock up kids for life,” Dec. 2) written by members of the Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice was inaccurate at best, and intentionally misleading at its worst. The op-ed accuses the county attorney’s office of commissioning a study to “keep children in cages for life” and to “send children to prison forever.” These statements are false, inflammatory, and irresponsible.
My predecessor, commissioned a study to examine the available science related to age, crime, and how the brain develops as youth advance through the teenage years and into adulthood.
Specifically, a group of eight specialists authored a thoroughly researched report describing why these changes take place and the proper role neurobiology can play in understanding development. It examined what signifies maturity as it relates to violent crime, and in particular, murder.
The primary finding of this report was that an individualized assessment is vital to criminal punishment because justice is not one-size-fits-all, even with adolescents. The report provided objective opinions, supported by study, research, and empirical data, regarding juvenile maturity in the criminal context and specific guidance for the assessment of the maturity reflected in a given crime and its perpetrator.
An unbiased review of the report makes clear that researchers and the scientific community agree that age alone is not the determinant factor to evaluate maturity and corresponding culpability for crime.
Every perpetrator is different. Every crime is distinct. The assessment of a juvenile offender, like any other, must be individualized.
It is an unpleasant fact that juveniles sometimes commit horrific, premeditated murders. A prosecutor must analyze each case and provide the court all relevant information so that justice can be served. Paramount to my philosophy as county attorney is further developing and supporting a criminal justice system that embodies the necessity of examining both the offender and the offense when holding criminals accountable. A system that examines issues and evidence from a singular, results-driven point of view, much like the recent oped, does a monumental disservice to defendants, victims of crime, and our community.
Most importantly, it does nothing to contribute to the type of honest, productive policy debate that will better our criminal justice system.