The juvenile justice system in New York is facing challenges and shortcomings due to Raise the Age, a law implemented in 2018 that directs most teen criminal defendants to Family Court and does not impose penalties on 16- and 17-year-olds found with loaded firearms.
According to NYPD Chief of Crime Control Strategies Michael Lipetri, “We already have 15 juveniles murdered this year by a gun. I’m talking about being murdered by a gunshot. It wasn’t even close in prior years.”
It’s not just gun crimes that are concerning, as law enforcement officers are witnessing juveniles as young as 12 engaging in multiple robberies.
- A 14-year-old with two dozen arrests for robbery, grand larceny, and possession of stolen property in less than two years is still on the streets.
- A 12-year-old with six arrests, including weapons possession, is also freely roaming the streets.
- Another 17-year-old has nine arrests on record, including three gunpoint robberies.
- A migrant teen has nearly a dozen busts this year for robbery and assault charges.
The average age at which young individuals acquire illegal firearms has decreased from 16 or 17 to just 12 or 13, and the number of adolescent inmates facing murder charges has significantly risen.
Since the implementation of Raise the Age, youth gun violence has surged, leading to the presence of tougher older teens in New York City’s juvenile facilities that are ill-prepared to handle them.
A recent report by the city Department of Investigation revealed that the juvenile-detention centers in New York City have become chaotic environments where the worst teen inmates dominate. Although some reforms have been implemented, the situation has not been completely resolved.
The lenient approach of Family Court is ineffective and is not preventing the impact of gun violence on lives.
As 15 other teens have been killed by juvenile shooters, the city’s lawmakers have yet to address the crisis affecting primarily black and Hispanic communities.
Despite the ongoing challenges, key state lawmakers like Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins were re-elected recently.
These lawmakers are failing to acknowledge the need for serious consequences for teen offenders involved in serious crimes and carrying firearms.
Governor Hochul and the Legislature must work together to address the escalating issues in the juvenile justice system.
The responsibility lies with the adults to protect the well-being of the youth.
