ALBANY -- New York Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman has proposed sending all non-violent juvenile offenders to family court, removing prosecutors' discretion over whether to keep those 16- and 17-year olds in adult criminal court.
Lippman tells The Associated Press that more than 45,000 juveniles are arrested annually in New York, with most of them prosecuted.
He says studies show they have a far higher recidivism rate than those sent to family court, whose purpose is to look after the best interests of the teens. Lippman says the young offenders are still immature and don't know how to assess risks and consequences.
The proposal would require changing the law.
-- Associated Press
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
Read more...