NYAPRS Note: One of NYAPRS’ state policy priorities during last legislative session was to work to raise the age of criminal responsibility in NYS to age 18 “so that the legal process responds to all children as children and services and placement options better meet the rehabilitative needs of all children and youth.” Once again, we will be working closely with Raise the Age NY; see more at http://raisetheageny.com/
Raise The Age Advocates: ‘We’re Back’
By Keshia Clukey Politico New York November 9, 2015
ALBANY — Advocates are calling on the state Senate majority to make a proposal to raise the age of criminal responsibility a priority in next year’s session, according to a Monday news release.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo has embraced the proposal, which would stop the prosecution of most 16- and 17-year-old defendants as adults, but the Legislature failed to come to an agreement by the end of last session.
Families Together in New York State, an advocacy group for parents of children with emotional problems, asked that when Republicans who control the Senate meet on Tuesday to discuss their 2016 priority agenda, raise the age is on it.
Group CEO Paige Pierce said in the release: “We’re back and will continue to call on the legislature to prioritize the comprehensive Raise the Age legislation that goes beyond shifting 16 and 17 year olds out of adult facilities and includes:
- raising the overall age of juvenile jurisdiction to 18,
- ensures there is parental notification upon the arrest of a 16 or 17 year old,
- ensures 16 and 17 year olds are interviewed using developmentally appropriate practices,
- better addresses the collateral consequences of court involvement,
- increases investments in the front-end diversion services that keep youth in their communities rather than incarceration,
- originates many cases of 16 and 17 year olds in Family court,
- creates Youth Parts in adult court for remaining cases, and
- apply the Family Court Act to as many youth as possible, regardless of which courthouse the case is heard and
- raises the lower age of juvenile delinquency from age 7 to age 12.”
http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/albany/2015/11/8582333/raise-age-advocates-were-back