Gallup finds more growing numbers think juveniles should be treated more leniently than adults by justice system

Americans are divided on how the nation's criminal justice system should treat juvenile defendants, according to new polling by Gallup, but more people are expressing support for leniency than two decades ago.

The poll, published Tuesday, found that 46 percent of respondents believe that juveniles between the ages 14 to 17 who commit violent crimes should be treated the same way as adults in the criminal system. Forty-seven percent say the justice system should take a more lenient approach with juveniles.