I believe that a suspect/defendant should be regarded as a juvenile based on their 'brain age,’ as opposed to their typical age. As shown in the mock trial of Jimmy, though he had just turned 18, his brain has not fully developed. The human brain does not completely develop until well into a person's late 20s. Using solely age is not a great indicator when concerning maturity or levels of impulsivity. Adolescents with learning disabilities or cognitive disabilities are especially prone to increased impulsivity. The pre-frontal cortex is one of the final parts of the brain to develop, and it is the control region for impulsive behavior and decision making. Each person develops differently in regards to time, so how can the term 'juvenile' ethically encompass only a specific age range, and not take into account brain development?
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