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Because the courts were lenient with them. They usually let them get away with just a fine. The judges were rich men.
Juveniles tend to receive lighter and more lenient treatment than adults and are not housed in adult penal institutions.
The opposite could be strict (not lenient), or harsh (the reverse of lenient).
The antonym of lenient is strict.
The judge's decision was lenient, she was only given a fine.
Lenient: adj.: To go easy on someone or something. To be patient, kind and gentle.
How about convenient
stern
A lenient sentence gives some leeway to the defendant and is less harsh than wanted or expected.
Juvenile because juveniles aren't charged as badly as adults.
lenient