Criminal.com

Criminal records in America are a large part of society and can heavily affect our lives. Without prior knowledge of our societys laws, the criminal justice system can be confusing and could have more severe consequences without basic knowledge of how it works. One in three Americans has a criminal record ranging from small offenses to severe felon... ies. Committing a crime can lead to a warning, a fine, community service hours, a court case, restitution payments, and/or a prison sentence. Additionally, about 40% of nonviolent offenders who were imprisoned commit the same crime again. This statistic is even higher for robberies. But the actual sentence is only part of the punishment an offender faces. Having a criminal record affects a persons ability to live a productive life. Some employers require mandatory criminal background checks, which can make it difficult to acquire a new job. It can also prevent one from possessing or purchasing a firearm. People with a history of crime will struggle to adopt a child, and they could lose certain licensing, including their drivers license. Additionally, having a criminal record can prevent someone from being able to get a mortgage or a loan from the bank. The consequences of committing an offense are severe, even for small offenses. Some people argue that these consequences are too severe, especially for younger people. When someone under the age of 18 commits an offense, it is called an infraction, not a crime. Instead of the results of committing a crime like jail time, they can go through educational courses that teach them about the moral and practical reasons not to commit crimes. However, when someone aged 18 commits an offense, they are subject to the exact same measures as a 30-year-old offender. This has some controversy, as studies show that the decision-making part of the brain is not fully developed until the age of 25. Teenagers who were raised without a strong parental presence are much more likely to commit a crime, and after the age of 18, they could ...Read More