Post by Logan on Feb 3, 2016 1:39:45 GMT -6
Flanked by fellow Democratic lawmakers and representatives of Long Island nonprofit groups on Monday, Nassau County Legislator Laura Curran, of Baldwin, called on the State Legislature to pass a measure that would “raise the age” of criminal responsibility from 16 to 18.
New York is one of only two states in which 16- and 17-year-olds are prosecuted as adults for non-violent offenses and housed with adults in jails and prisons. The other is North Carolina.
Treating minors as adults, experts say, does nothing to rehabilitate them. Often, they repeat their offenses and turn more violent.
“Public safety can actually be enhanced” by raising the age, Curran said at a news conference at the County Legislature building in Mineola. Curran represents the 5th Legislative District, which takes in Baldwin, Freeport, South Hempstead and parts of Merrick and Oceanside.
Read more: liherald.com/stories/Legislator-wants-state-to-raise-the-age,76259
New York is one of only two states in which 16- and 17-year-olds are prosecuted as adults for non-violent offenses and housed with adults in jails and prisons. The other is North Carolina.
Treating minors as adults, experts say, does nothing to rehabilitate them. Often, they repeat their offenses and turn more violent.
“Public safety can actually be enhanced” by raising the age, Curran said at a news conference at the County Legislature building in Mineola. Curran represents the 5th Legislative District, which takes in Baldwin, Freeport, South Hempstead and parts of Merrick and Oceanside.
Read more: liherald.com/stories/Legislator-wants-state-to-raise-the-age,76259