PEOPLE

This week the Southeast Missourian asked, "How do you feel about U.S. Sen. John Ashcroft's proposed legislation that would allow greater access to juvenile criminal records for police, school officials, judges and prosecutors?"

Penny Blandford, Cape Girardeau

"I think that whenever they commit a crime against society that they forfeit their rights, so their records should be available."

Cora Fee, Cape Girardeau

"I don't see why they should keep it hush hush when they need to do something about (juvenile crime). You can't even walk down the street nowadays without expecting to be knocked in the head. They can keep better track of them that way."

Justin O'Donnell, Cape Girardeau

"I think they should keep it the same. I think they should keep it confidential like they do now."

Jim Baker, Cape Girardeau

"Well, they give access to police departments on juveniles that have done crimes before so that when they get to be an adult, they just completely mark it off the list. That's not right. You've got a void spot from 10 years old to 16 or 17 where you can do just about what you want and not get in trouble. Then when you turn 18 it doesn't count."

Stanley Richardson, Cape Girardeau

"I think that would be a good thing. Some of those juveniles hide behind that. They take advantage of it, I think. So I think that would be a good piece of law to change so they would have more access."