‘Raise The Age’ gets no praise

With the recent signage of the “Raise the Age” legislation, New York no longer automatically processes all 16- and 17-year-olds as adults in the criminal justice system. However, critics say the legislation still needs fine-tuning.

The new legislation directs that all 16- and 17-year-olds be removed from adult county jails and that those who must be incarcerated be held in youth-specific facilities. All misdemeanors will now be heard in Family Court. 

Felony charges will begin in a newly established “Youth Part” of the criminal court, presided over by a Family Court judge. Non-violent felony charges will be transferred automatically to Family Court unless the district attorney can demonstrate circumstances that justify retaining the case in the Youth Part of criminal court.

State Sen. Velmanette Montgomery said in a statement that loopholes could land many youths in the very place the new legislation aims to keep them out of.

“Children that remain in this new youth part of criminal court are still sentenced as adults; violations are still handled in local criminal court,” she said. “Vehicular crimes and violations remain in criminal court with no chance for removal to family court. The 10-year wait to seal records can halt their progress during the time of their lives when they have the most potential for change.”

To read the full story, visit http://amsterdamnews.com/news/2017/apr/20/raise-age-gets-no-praise/?page=1

To read Angelo Pinto's powerful op-ed on Raise the Age, visit http://amsterdamnews.com/news/2017/apr/20/raise-age-smoke-and-mirrors/