Juvenile Criminals

The present age limit of 18 for juvenile offenders has to lowered to at least 15 in light of increasing number of grisly crimes being committed by individuals below 18 years of age. In spite of committing horrific crimes, they are not punished like the others are because of the fact that they are juveniles. With increasing exposure to the Internet, television and the various ' ills' associated with technological advancements, juveniles committing heinous crimes can no longer be treated with compassion and be let off scot-free without being made to serve time behind bars. Focusing only on the juvenile offenders responsible for the execution of despicable crimes and pleading for their sympathetic treatment is a huge mistake. What about the victims' of such crimes and the plight and mentally horrific state of their relatives? It is time that we focus more on their trauma as well rather than trying to act like Samaritans by demanding an 'understanding' treatment of these juvenile offenders. Tougher penalties will act as a deterrent. Reforming brutal criminals is a utopian idea not efficiently practicable. There needs to be a fear of the law in the minds of these offenders. It is sickening to see juveniles who commit ghastly crimes then turn around to say that they did not know what they were doing.