UPDATE: New York lawmakers are gearing up for an intense debate over the controversial Raise the Age law, which prevents 16- and 17-year-olds from being tried as adults. This urgent discussion comes as newly appointed NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch advocates for critical reforms, citing alarming increases in youth crime.
The Raise the Age law, enacted in 2017, shifted the legal responsibility for youth offenders to age 18. Tisch, who will serve under Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, declared the law’s implications “maddening” during a panel at a Citizens Budget Commission event in September 2023, where she highlighted a staggering 83% rise in youth shooting victims. “The data is telling us… we need to listen,” she warned.
District Attorneys across the state, including Bronx DA Darcel Clark and Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez, have expressed similar concerns, pushing for amendments to enable better handling of youth cases. “We need to know what’s going on in family courts,” said DAASNY President Mary Pat Donnelly in August, emphasizing the need for access to offenders’ backgrounds.
Lawmakers gathered at the annual SOMOS conference in Puerto Rico earlier this month to discuss the law’s future, with Assemblywoman Latrice Walker standing firm against changes. “Judicial discretion is vital,” she stated, advocating for judges to maintain the ability to decide on a case-by-case basis.
Governor Kathy Hochul remains noncommittal, though she has indicated a willingness to review all laws as the legislative session approaches. “I will be looking at all the laws… what is best for the people of this state,” she remarked in August.
The District Attorneys Association of the State of New York is intensifying pressure on the legislature to act swiftly. With cases typically processed in sealed family courts, many argue that this hampers law enforcement’s ability to address youth crime effectively. “Attempts to change the law through the budget are misguided,” said Assemblywoman Solages, emphasizing the need for resources to keep young people out of prison.
As discussions evolve, the outcome could significantly impact how New York manages youth offenders and the ongoing struggle to balance justice and rehabilitation. The urgency of this issue has captured attention statewide, with the potential for major implications on public safety and community welfare.
Lawmakers and stakeholders are expected to continue negotiations, with the new legislative session commencing in early 2024. Will reform efforts gain traction, or will the original intent of the Raise the Age law prevail? The coming weeks will be critical in determining the path forward for New York’s approach to juvenile justice.
