Juvenile justice
Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families reports today that there are hopeful signs in a decline in juvenile crime in Arkansas, but the state is at a critical point of doing more to move treatment of problem kids from institutions to community-based programs.
Comments
I wish you guys would connect the dots more, Max.
I understand the desire to bring harsher punishment on those that are cruel to animals, but making it a felony has unintended consequences. That animal cruelty law is very likely one that'll disproportionately affect kids--kids that counseling, not prison or a lifetime with a criminal record.
A lot of kids under the age of 18 are still charged as adults with felony counts. As a result, these kids lose the right to vote, will have a hard time finding housing and even car insurance. A felony is almost a death sentence to one's career. Finding a job that even pays a fair wage, forget retirement or health care, is almost impossible.
Despite good intentions, there are very real, very negative consequences for Arkansans with the law you're supporting.
Posted by: Basil![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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January 9, 2009 04:38 PM
Sorry Basil, but your concerns are a little misplaced. Anyone under the age of 18 is charged in juvenile court where often times the judge orders counseling not jail time for the defendant. At the very least those arrest records are sealed and then expunged and are not available to anyone, even other police agencies.
If the person is 18 or older then they deserve what they get. At least that's the thinking in the 45 states that have a felony animal cruelty law.
Oh, and let's not forget the majority of animal cruelty arrests are adults, not under-age youth.
Posted by: Charles Eddie Smith![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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January 9, 2009 05:47 PM