When teens commit crimes, their parents are sometimes perplexed as to why they would make such a decision. Parents may understand some of the common root causes. A teen who was trying to impress their peers may be more likely to drink before they’re legally old enough or shoplift items from the local mall, for example.
What is often confusing to parents is why young people would take such significant risks. Their teen may be facing charges that would go on their permanent record. A conviction could derail their educational plans, making it harder for them to attend college or university. This could, in turn, make it more difficult for them to have a lucrative career. Why would the teen take such a risk and knowingly break the law?
Decision-making capabilities
In some cases, the problem is simply that teens are not anywhere close to full brain development. The prefrontal cortex isn’t finished developing until around age 25 or 26, according to scientists.
This is important because the prefrontal cortex is what helps with decision-making abilities. Before this development is complete, young people may be more impulsive, they may not take the time to think through their decisions, and they may have never considered the long-term ramifications at all.
That said, while brain development may help to explain why young people break the law, it is certainly not an excuse that is going to shake those charges. This is why teens and their parents need to be aware of their criminal defense options. The focus moving forward needs to be on protecting the teen’s future.
