Restorative Justice: Juvenile and Adult Justice System

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Restorative Justice for a Case of a Juvenile Delinquent
The Case
This pertains to the case of Jayden Myrick, who, at the age of 14, was taken into custody for an incident involving the robbery of a woman on the southern side of Atlanta. Subsequently, Jayden entered into a negotiated plea agreement, resulting in a sentencing of 15 years, of which seven years were designated for service within the adult correctional system (Judd, 2019).
This case gained significant public attention when the juvenile, at the age of 17, was involved in a grave criminal incident, including charges of murder, armed robbery, and participation in criminal gang activity. It is noteworthy, however, that we shall emphasize his earlier case at 14, as the judicial authorities emphasized the relevance of prior offenses to the current charges (Judd, 2019).
Restorative Versus Punitive Approach
The utilization of a restorative justice approach, as opposed to the punitive methodology employed in Jayden Myrick's case, might have been better suited for several compelling reasons:
Firstly, there should be age and developmental considerations. Given Jayden's age of 14 at the time of the incident, it is crucial to acknowledge that adolescents are in a critical development phase. They may be more receptive to interventions that delve into the root causes of their behavior, fostering opportunities for rehabilitation and personal growth (Suzuki & Wood, 2018). Restorative justice places particular emphasis on comprehending the needs of young offenders and facilitating their rehabilitation (Wilson et al., 2018).
Secondly, restorative justice underscores the concept of individuals being held accountable for their deeds as they actively participate in constructive dialogues with both victims and the affected community. This procedure can facilitate a deepened understanding of the harm caused and nurture genuine remorse and responsibility, which punitive measures might be challenging to instill (U.S. Department of Justice, n.d.).
Lastly, restorative justice centers its approach around victims, giving paramount importance to their requirements and viewpoints. In Jayden's situation involving the victim of the robbery, an application of restorative principles could have offered her a platform for articulating her emotions, seeking elucidation, and conceivably achieving a sense of closure through an organized discourse with Jayden. This approach empowers victims and facilitates their proactive engagement in the process of resolution (Wemmers et al., 2023).
Practical Application of Restorative Justice
Restorative justice challenges law enforcement, judges, and lawyers to adopt a novel perspective—one that many of them may