URGENT UPDATE: New York lawmakers are gearing up for a heated debate over potential reforms to the controversial Raise the Age law, which shields youth offenders from adult prosecution. This critical discussion is set to unfold next legislative session as key players, including incoming New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, advocate for significant changes.
The Raise the Age law, enacted in 2017, raised the age of criminal responsibility from 16 to 18, moving these young offenders out of adult courts. However, recent statistics reveal alarming trends in youth crime, with shootings among minors up 83% since the law’s implementation. Tisch, who has been vocal about the need for reform, emphasized the urgency at a Citizens Budget Commission event in September, stating, “It is maddening…the number of kids that are shooters is up almost a hundred percent in that time.”
The discussion intensified earlier this month at the annual SOMOS conference in Puerto Rico, where Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark and Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez addressed the growing concerns. Clark has been advocating for amendments to the law since 2021, while Gonzalez’s office has remained tight-lipped on the private discussions.
Assemblywoman Latrice Walker, a staunch defender of the Raise the Age law, expressed her concern over potential changes, arguing that judicial discretion should prevail in these cases. “At the end of the day, we will keep having meetings — we will continue to sit down,” she stated in an interview.
Despite the push for reform, Governor Kathy Hochul has not taken a definitive stance. Her office referred to her earlier comments, indicating she would review all laws, including Raise the Age, as the legislative session approaches. The District Attorneys Association of the State of New York is pressuring for reforms, citing that the current law complicates their ability to handle youth cases effectively.
The conversation is not just about policy but also about funding. The state’s Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Legislative Caucus is advocating for a permanent funding mechanism to address the underlying issues that lead young people to crime, rather than simply changing the law. Caucus chair Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages stated, “Attempts to change the law through the budget or through prosecutors who have not fully implemented Raise the Age are irresponsible and misguided.”
As the legislative session approaches, the stakes are high. With the potential for significant policy changes impacting the future of youth justice in New York, all eyes will be on how lawmakers respond to these urgent calls for reform. The upcoming discussions will not only shape the legal landscape but also influence the support systems available for at-risk youth across the state.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.
