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Teenagers are more likely to plead guilty to crimes they did not commit because they are less able to make mature decisions, new research shows.
Experts have called for major changes to the criminal justice system after finding innocent younger people are far more likely admit to offences, even when innocent, than adults.
Those who carried out the study say teenagers should not be allowed to make deals where they face a lesser charge in return for pleading guilty. The study suggests young people are more likely to be enticed by these deals, and take what they see as an advantageous offer even when they have done nothing wrong.
Most criminal convictions in the UK and the USA occur as the result of guilty pleas, rather than trial. This means the majority of convictions are the result of decisions made by people accused of crimes rather than jurors.
The research was carried out in the USA, where a system known as "plea bargaining" is utilised, but the academics say their discovery has implications for countries across the world that allow teenagers accused of crimes to receive a sentence or charge reduction by pleading guilty. Specifically, the researchers recommend restricting reductions that may entice innocent teenagers into pleading guilty and making it easier for teenagers to change pleas after they have been entered.
Other research has found adolescents are less able to perceive risk and resist the influence of peers because of developmental immaturity.
https://phys.org/news/2018-03-teenagers-guilty-crimes-didnt-commit.html
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(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday March 17 2018, @04:34PM (4 children)
Perhaps I'm stupid then because I would fight tooth and nail to preserve my reputation. If you want the truth, compare statistical results from the Milgram experiment [simplypsychology.org] with these results. [psychologicalscience.org] Feeble mindedness and deference for false authority is a learned behaviour, critical thinking and assertiveness are absolute defences and these are skills that can be taught.
(Score: 2) by isostatic on Saturday March 17 2018, @07:03PM (1 child)
Perhaps I'm stupid then because I would fight tooth and nail to preserve my reputation.
And have a high chance of losing your job, house, kids and freedom?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday March 19 2018, @12:01AM
Yes - and I would "win" in the sense that my self-respect would remain untarnished.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by sjames on Sunday March 18 2018, @04:13AM (1 child)
You say that now, as a person who wasn't dragged out of the house and interrogated for many hours without a break then tossed in jail to stew for a while. After a few days of being treated like a sub-human, someone tells you that just one little word can make sure you go home that afternoon. Or proclaim your innocence and that little hellhole becomes your life for the next 20 years.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday March 19 2018, @12:03AM
What? The threat of commencement of legal proceedings is usually enough that interlocutors back down. Stand up for yourself, always!