Every year, in the United States alone, approximately over five hundred thousand violent crimes are committed. In 2008, seventy-three thousand of these violent crimes were committed by minors. When you hear about murderers, rapists and other criminals, automatically, your mentality wants these criminals to be sentenced to prison for a very long period. There is no doubt when it comes to these extreme criminals, they should be punished for the serious crimes they have committed. Now, let's say the criminal was fifteen years old, suddenly people start wondering if it would be appropriate to give them the same sentence as an "adult". Many will say that it is wrong to try a minor as an adult for various reasons, but by committing these violent crimes they have ceased to be children and should be tried as adults. Regardless of age, criminals are criminals and should all be tried equally, age does not define adulthood. Juvenile crimes are no different from adult crimes, teenagers know the difference between right and wrong, ignorance and stupidity are two different things, if the criminal has the ability to plan the crime then he will be ready to serve the sentence. Children as young as thirteen are tried as adults and sentenced to die in prison. You might ask, “Doesn't that seem a little too extreme?” However, the sentence is not that extreme when compared to the crime committed. In one case three of five Florida teenagers, Denver Jarvis (15), Michael Bent (15) and Jesus Mendez (16), were accused of setting Michael Brewer (15) on fire over a $40 video game debt. The boys left the young Brewer with severe burns over, what reporters say was, 65 percent of his body. These three kids attempted a serious, second-degree…middle of paper…juvenile crime once they decided to make adult choices and act in unison. To summarize, we cannot accurately label someone and call them an adult. Many people believe that because these "kids" are under 18, they deserve special treatment. Wrong, don't let age blind you from the crime you committed. These juveniles deserve the punishment thrown at them, they don't deserve the opportunity to get away with it and be happy, while the victim and/or family are left to suffer. Think of it this way, your 14 year old son was murdered by two other 14 year old boys because your son wouldn't let them borrow his homework. Yes, the tables have turned now, right? Adulthood cannot be defined by a number, it should be based on the actions taken by the individual. Juveniles should absolutely be tried as adults, regardless of age, the crime committed speaks for itself.