Juvenile Court System

RAISE THE AGE – THEY DESERVE A SECOND CHANCE North Carolina and New York are the only two states in the United States that prosecute crimes committed by 16 and 17 year olds in the adult court system no matter how minor the crime may be (Raise the Age NC). This can be devastating to our juveniles and their futures. Studies have shown that the average human brain does not mature to its complete development until the age of 25 (Miller and Bartollas). Today’s juveniles sometimes make stupid choices and deserve a second chance. We as a state should be like 48 other states and keep these juveniles in the juvenile court system and offer diversion programs instead of tagging them for the rest of their lives as criminals. Labeling these juveniles
as criminals could hurt their chances of gaining employment or earning scholarships for their education. This could ultimately cause them to reoffend and lead a life of crime. It is our responsibility to give them the opportunity to grow and excel in their adult lives despite making one bad choice as a juvenile.
Two bills were introduced to the North Carolina General Assembly in 2011 that are being referred to as the “Raise the Age” bill. These bills are HB 632 in the North Carolina House of
Representatives and SB 506 in the North Carolina Senate (North Carolina General Assembly).
These bills, if passed would keep 16 and 17 year olds out of the adult court system and place them in the juvenile court system. HB 632 has four primary sponsors in the House. They are David Lewis, Shirley Randleman, Marilyn Avilia and Alice Bordsen (North Carolina General Assembly). There are many co-sponsors to the bill and they include the following: M. Alexander, Bornhart, Bell, Corney, Cotham, Earle, Fisher, Gill, Glazier, Graham, Guice Haire, Hamilton, Harrison, Insko, Jackson, Jordan, Lucas, McGrady, Mobley, Moffitt, Murry, Parfitt, Ross, Tosbett and Weiss (North Carolina General Assembly). SB 506 also has three primary sponsors in the Senate. They are Fletcher L. Hartsell Jr., Stan Bingham and Floyd B. McKissckdr (North Carolina General Assembly). This bill has four co-sponsors and they are Doug Berger, Dan Blue, Warren Daniel and Neal Hunt (North Carolina General
Assembly). Supporters of the “Raise the Age” bill claim that studies show putting juveniles through the adult court system will not increase public safety (NC Child).
These studies show that juveniles who are put through the adult system are more likely to be arrested, convicted and incarcerated again as well as more likely to have their probation revoked than that of adult offenders. Supporters also argue that raising the age would mean huge savings to the state and its taxpayers in the long term. It is said that the policy change would generate $97.9 million in long term benefits over a 12 month period among 16 and 17 year olds (Raise the Age). This would also benefit taxpayers with an additional $21.7 million (Raise the Age). The argument is that less crime means more savings, a higher state GDP and more tax revenue for North Carolina (Raise the
Age). Law Enforcement supporters of the bill like it because it would still send the serious, violent offenders to adult court. Police or Sheriff Department’s would no longer have to foot the bill for juveniles being held in their jails or worry about transportation or laws concerning juveniles while they are in their custody (Raise the Age NC). Law Enforcement along with all supporters of the bill believe that juveniles would be held more accountable, face more severe consequences thus reduce the likelihood of the juvenile reoffending. Probably the biggest and most powerful argument for the “Raise the Age” bill is the concern that juveniles that commit minor, non-violent crimes may carry that stigma and mark for the rest of their life. This may make it difficult for them to obtain jobs or even a better education.
It is said that 94% of 16 and 17 year olds that commit crimes are minor and non-violent (Raise the Age NC). Only 3% of these crimes committed by these juveniles are considered serious felonies (Raise the Age NC). In the adult court system, the juvenile offenders most often receive probation and they lack the support that it is believed the juvenile really needs. The juvenile system requires many phases of treatment and involves such things as parental involvement, mentoring, tutoring, education, counseling, restitution, mental health and substance abuse treatment. It is for these reasons; supporters believe the juvenile system is a much more productive and better way than the adult system (NC Child.) Allowing the juvenile to go through rehabilitation programs and keep their record clean clears the path for them to have a productive life. The argument concerning the cost benefits and savings to taxpayers is under the theory that if these juveniles can be treated and thus are less likely to offend then in the long term it would save taxpayers money not having to continue to prosecute the individuals or house them in jails. If the juvenile can be treated and not reoffend then the savings would be enormous over a period of time. The Vera Institute of Justice determined that the initial cost for the change would be high but in the long run it would save money because the juveniles would be more productive in society (Raise the Age NC).
The bills have much support across the state. This support is coming from Law
Enforcement officials, judges, bipartisan legislatures, children’s advocates, business leaders, church leaders, educators, medical providers and concerned citizens. Some well know supporters include, National Alliance of Mental Illness North Carolina, National Association of Social
Workers North Carolina, North Carolina Association of Educators, North Carolina PTA and
United Way North Carolina to just name a few (Raise the Age NC). Opponents for the bills argue that the new law would only give juveniles two more years to commit crimes knowing they cannot be charged as adults. This would give those 16 and 17 year olds the opportunity to reoffend. The biggest and strongest argument against the “Raise the
Age” bill is funding. Susan Doyle representing the North Carolina Conference of District
Attorney’s stated “the current juvenile system is horribly underfunded and would be crushed under the weight of the requirements of this bill without proper funding” (NC Child). If the bill were to pass it would keep the most serious offenses in the adult system and would leave discretion up to judges as to moving a case from juvenile court to adult court. It would also leave all motor vehicle violations in the adult court system. The change would take place over a period of time and it is anticipated it would take 4 years to move all 16 and 17 year olds to the juvenile system (Raise the Age). The “Raise the Age” bill was originally filed on April 5th, 2011 in the House and its current status is listed as Re-ref Com On Judiciary Subcommittee B on 04/07/2011 (North Carolina General Assembly). The bill was originally filed in the Senate on 04/04/2011 and its current status is listed as Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate on 04/05/2011 (North Carolina General Assembly). Though this bill is not been made law I am confident that it will be in the near future. It is my opinion this would be a good idea for North Carolina. Our juveniles today need encouragement and guidance. One bad decision should not cripple a child’s future and possibly push them into a life of crime because they can’t obtain gainful employment due to their record. North Carolina is one of only two states that still allow 16 and 17 year olds to be prosecuted in adult courts so I think that it is sure to come with time. I believe supporters are aware of the startup expense and once funding can be allocated the bill will become law.

Works Cited
Bartollas, Clemens, and Stuart J. Miller. Juvenile Justice in America. 6th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education/Prentice Hall, 2011. Print.
Gonzalez, Veronica. "Advocates Push to Raise Adulthood Age from 16 to 18." NC Live. EBSCO, 27 Oct. 2010. Web. 23 June 2013.
"Juvenile Age to 18." Ncga.state.nc.us. North Carolina General Assembly, n.d. Web. 20 June 2013.
"Juvenile Age to 18." Ncleg.net. North Carolina General Assembly, n.d. Web. 20 June 2013.
"Raise the Age: Keep Children Out of the Adult System." Ncchild.org. Action for Children North Carolina, 2007-2013. Web. 22 June 2013.
"Raise the Age North Carolina." Raisetheagenc.com. Raise the Age NC, 2013. Web. 21 June 2013.