What are the implications of mandatory minimum sentences for juvenile offenders?

Mandatory minimum sentences for juvenile offenders have implications which can range from relatively minor to extremely severe. In Washington, juvenile offenders aged fourteen and older may be charged as adults and will be subject to mandatory minimum sentences if convicted. This means that even if the juvenile offender is not a danger to society, they will still be required to serve the mandatory minimum sentence. This can have serious implications on a young person’s life as these sentences can lead to long-term or even life-long incarceration. This can have a damaging effect on the individual. Not only will they have to spend time incarcerated, but the mandatory minimum sentences prevent judges from taking into account the individual circumstances of the crime or the offender. This means that people with circumstances that could be considered mitigating are unable to be treated appropriately under the law. Additionally, mandatory minimum sentences can unfairly burden communities of color. Many studies have shown that people of color are disproportionately charged and convicted under mandatory minimum sentences. This means that people of color are disproportionately affected by the implications of these sentences. Overall, mandatory minimum sentences for juvenile offenders can have serious implications on the life of the offender, as they can lead to long-term or life-long incarceration, and they can disproportionately burden communities of color.

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What are the implications of mandatory minimum sentences for juvenile offenders?

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