Constitution Fading Fast

Constitution Fading Fast

The supreme Court of the land ruled 6 to 3 June 21 that "juveniles" (an inferior species we presume) accused of crimes can be tried without a jury. This ruling sanctions the current practice of most of these here United States which do not give young people the same rights as they do adults with "more experience."

Even though nowhere does the distinction appear in the constitution, Justice Harry A. Blackmun voiced the majority opinion when he said that juvenile court proceedings are not criminal prosecutions that fall within the interpretation of the 6th Amendment, which guarantees the right of jury trial to all American citizens.

Dissenting were Justices Douglas, Black and Marshall, who said that since juveniles were treated as criminals they should have the same basic rights. The judgement came about because of a suit brought to the court by the people in Pennsylvania and North Carolina. In Philadelphia, two 15-year-old brothers had sought jury trials when brought up on charges of delinquincy. People from Hyde County, N. C. raised the issue after 46 black brothers and sisters were arrested during demonstrations there. Those people will now have their fate decided according to the prejudices and whims of one single southern judge.

In another of their attempts to hold back the future the court granted the state of Georgia a hearing in their bid to keep alive a law that makes the use of "bad language" in the presence of another person a crime punishable by fine, imprisonment, or both. Rule On, Boys.