Review of the Film "They Call Us Monsters"This provocative documentary follows three juvenile delinquents housed in a juvenile facility, awaiting their trial, in Los Angeles County. juvenile court. The three teenagers have enrolled in a screenwriting course and so this documentary closely follows their progress in the screenwriter's program, but also shows the story behind their lives, the pending charges they face and how they move through the judicial system. All three young men face life in prison for their crimes. The first culprit identified is Jarad, who was 16 years old at the time of his arrest and is accused of four attempted murders. The next young man is Antonio, arrested at 14 on charges of two attempted murders. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayAnd the last one is Juan, arrested at age 16 on charges of first-degree murder. The tendency to charge young people as adults in lawsuits stems from a turning point in the 21st century with claims that “American society currently exudes a deeply rooted hostility and chilling fear towards young people. ” (Kristen A. Bates, 2014) The crimes faced by these young offenders in the documentary are serious, violent crimes with guilty verdicts resulting in life sentences in an adult prison, most likely, a maximum security penitentiary. Jarad, 16 years old, begins screenwriter program unsure and uneasy about how to take him seriously and struggles to help him develop a real screenplay that will later be made into a film Jarad's family is interviewed about his upbringing and their beliefs as to why ended up in the system. Jarad's stepfather emotionally admits that he tried to take his own life, stabbing himself multiple times when Jarad was just 12, and reluctantly admits that this could have had a significant impact on Jarad's victim, one young 17-year-old woman, speaks emotionally about the trauma she experienced being shot at point-blank range in a drive-by shooting that left her paralyzed from the waist down. Antonio, who was 14 years old at the time of his arrest, could be charged as an adult in the state of California. Antonio was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. He is as silly as a typical 14-year-old teenager, but also presents himself as educated, showing the director his collection of pamphlets from many different agencies such as the Navy Seal Program and claiming to have read them all. Antonio is eventually released for time served, but struggles to reacclimate to life in his community. By following Antonio through this transition, the director shows the reality of the struggle that parolees face after their release. Upon release, her mother is evicted from her home and forced to stay with her sister, who together have four young children. Antonio tells viewers that he has no space for himself ( ), and that living at home will not bring him any benefit, thus sending him back to the streets. Antonio quickly falls back into drugs and it is revealed at the end of the film that he was eventually arrested for armed robbery. Juan, 16 at the time of his arrest, is charged with first-degree murder. Originally from El Salvador, he risks deportation. Juan's family, including his infant son, are featured in the film, with his brother describing his role in Juan joining the gang and trying to be like his brother. Juan felt pressured by the gang to commit the crime he was accused of and admits his role in the crime to the viewers. Writer Gabe uses acombination of humor, severity and understanding to gain the boy's trust and ultimately influence their desire to take the screenplay writing process more seriously. While Jarad and Juan await their tests and results, they continue to write and critique Gabe's draft for their film, offering criticism of Gabe's depiction of a Latin name, or disparaging his suggestion for a Latin name. particular scene. Drawing from their own backgrounds, the boys each contribute examples from real-life experiences based on their own lives or depictions of gangs they have faced to the scenes. The film plays a clip of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who said in the film: “There are no violent crimes committed by minors; you rape someone, you are an adult. You shoot someone; you are an adult. ” (Betancourt, Manuel (2017, June 29). 5 heartbreaking facts from the doc “They Call us Monsters” about Latino teens facing life in prison. Remezcla. Retrieved from http://remezcla.com/lists/film/they -call -us-monsters-documentary-juvenile-justice-system/. Gingrich's statement powerfully conveys how juveniles committing violent crimes are, in the courts' view, the crimes of adults with the theme of prison reform , juvenile detention and rehabilitation this documentary film. Juan and Jarad, both 16 years old, are charged as adults for their crimes. Jarad is sentenced to 160 years to life in prison, on charges of four attempted murders and he is soon transferred to adult prison. It does not end with a conclusion or decision on the possibility of deportation, but Juan looks very different in the next video, where he reflects on his naivety and what led him to commit the crime. Under California law, teenagers between the ages of 14 and 17 accused of violent crimes can be tried as adults. The introduction of SB-260 allowed parole hearings for juvenile offenders at ages 15 and 25 if convicted and serving a life sentence. The premise of the law is to allow young offenders to demonstrate that they are rehabilitated and can return to civilian life. Just condemnation for young people. (2018). Senate Bill 260-Juvenile Justice with Adult Prison Sentences. Jarad, during his interrogation, despite being informed of his right to a lawyer and his right to remain silent, was not allowed to consult a parent or guardian. Jarad was interrogated multiple times without a lawyer or parent. For one minor, this intimidation tactic and subsequent murder charges led to his conviction and subsequent life sentences. Juan's initiation into group life was determined by the circumstances of his life and his brother's role in group life. Juan was introduced to the gang by a family member and found gang life a necessity for protection and circumstances in his life. With what some might consider inadequate legal representation, with no offer of a plea bargain, both Jarad and Juan are at the mercy of the prosecution's charges and subsequent sentencing recommendations. With the introduction and passage of Senate Bill 260, Jarad will now be eligible for parole at age 43, given an exemplary criminal record and his ability to show rehabilitation before a parole board supervised. Further examination of Senate Bill 260 through The Fair Sentencing for Youth Organization (2018), states that SB-260 was enacted in January 2014. Driven by widespread concerns about youth offenders receiving sentences to prison sentences for adults with little hope of.