I was wondering what people thought of youngsters getting less penalty for crime than adults. Should a 16 year old rapist get less than a 19 year old? It seems in India where many are calling for castration for rapist that they may face this dilemma.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/indian-gang-rape-suspect-may-be-juvenile/story-e6frf7jo-1226546320132

To me you missed a more important part of the story that defies logic.

Quote "But juveniles - those below 18 years of age - cannot be prosecuted for murder."

So if you want someone killed just get a 17 YO to do it.

Well, my experience is that the value of the equipment stolen by 12-16 year olds is the same as if it were to have been stolen by adults.
I would like to see 12 year old budding career criminals being dealt with harshly. Past & present pussy-footing encourages them to get ever more bold. This costs us tens of millions a year. If a juvenile offender gets caught a second time then the magistrate/defence lawyer from the first offence should be made to compensate the victim.
You'd soon see a marked change in prosecution.

I think we should all be careful about what we wish for.

If we want to treat child criminals the same as adults, then we should also lower the age at which it is legal to drink, vote, drive, leave home and have sex.

Some may think this is stretching the point, but is it?
Either children over 12 and under 18 are adults, or they aren't.
You can't have it both ways.

Suseonline,
So what do you suggest should be done about the victim ? Do you really believe if juveniles aren't punished they won't continue to practise getting away with all sorts of crime ?
I agree that they shouldn't be treated the same as adults but handling crims be they young or old with kids' gloves is what has gotten the problems we're having now.
Get a National Service up & running NOW ! Anyone as young as 9 or 10 gets thrown into a special school where physical punishment is part of the curriculum. Don't agree with that ? Fine, you just pay me for the damage.

I doubt the child criminals would ever be able to 'pay for the damage' Individual, and not their parents either I'm betting.

Sending them to army camps and teaching them that a good beating will solve all problems is not going to help either.

What comes first do you think... the criminal child , or their criminal parent?
I believe the serious criminally charged children should be removed from their parents and given to other respected adults who can try and instill better behaviour into them.
I like the idea of sending them to stations or farms to learn how to work the land and work with animals etc.

I am not convinced that locking minors up for any length of time in prisons is any good because they only learn more criminal behaviours and keep offending upon release.