True. But having worked with incarcerated youth, I can tell you that their juvenile status essentially equates to a “get out of jail free” card for most of them. Literally. From their mouths, I’ve heard almost these exact words. I often wonder if a more serious consequence (including an attempt at ACTUAL treatment) would serve as a more effective response to the epidemic of youth-related violent crimes.

Of course, empowering families, invigorating education, providing employment support, redesigning the penal and juvenile justice systems, and improving access to free reproductive health care resources (including birth control and abortion) would be the actual solution to the problem.