JACKSON COUNTY, IL ― The Jackson County, Illinois, state’s attorney said charging some juveniles as adults is a tough stance, but he believes it’s necessary when it comes to gun violence and other violent crimes.
Gun violence continues to be a serious problem nationally and in local communities, including Carbondale, Illinois. In February, city leaders said Carbondale has averaged five gun-related incidents a week over the past three years. There have been several community meetings and efforts to address the problem.
Jackson County State’s Attorney Joseph Cervantez said charging minors as adults means they would face stronger consequences, which he believes will serve as a deterrent to other juveniles. Cervantez said he wouldn’t charge minors as adults in every case, instead focusing on repeat offenders and serious crimes.
He has an office in the Jackson County Courthouse, but Cervantez said a difficult childhood nearly put him on a much different path. “I didn’t think that I would be here, and now that I’m here, if I can affect change, I’m going to do whatever I can,” he said.
He said he believes that means taking a tougher stance, with 60 juvenile offenders on his caseload. So far this year, 18 of those cases involve guns, and five of those involve a gun that was fired. Two are now being prosecuted as adults. He said that decision requires consideration.
“The balancing act of this is to try to make sure the community is safe, and at the same time, make sure that that child or young adult has room for growth and rehabilitation at some point that changes,” he said.
Jessica Harrocks with Carbondale United said she believes getting through to kids is a community effort.
“A whole culture shift needs to occur, and that can seem like scaling a mountain, but how do you do that, except put one foot in front of the other and get out there in the community and engage?” she said.
Harrocks also said the state’s attorney often connects juveniles to Carbondale United, so they can help stop the problem together.
Cervantez said his office also has several programs and works with multiple community groups to make sure juvenile offenders, especially first-time offenders, have resources to help them change their path.
He claims the success rate for many of those kids has been high.
Source : The Paducah Sun