New York Lawmakers Push Urgent Reforms to Raise the Age Law

URGENT UPDATE: New York lawmakers are gearing up for a heated debate over potential reforms to the controversial Raise the Age law, following significant pressure from law enforcement and district attorneys. The law, enacted in 2017, moved 16- and 17-year-olds out of adult courts, raising the age of criminal responsibility to 18.

As the new legislative session approaches, key figures, including newly elected mayor Zohran Mamdani and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, are advocating for urgent changes. Tisch stated, “Though I believe that the law was well-intentioned, we need now to roll up our sleeves and make adjustments to those laws based on the realities we are seeing on the ground,” during a September event.

The push for reform is gaining momentum, particularly as violent crime statistics among youth continue to rise. “The number of kids that are victims of shootings is up 83%. Since those laws changed, the number of kids that are shooters is up almost 100%,” Tisch added, calling for a data-driven approach to address these alarming trends.

Discussions took place recently at the SOMOS conference in Puerto Rico, featuring prominent lawmakers like Bronx DA Darcel Clark and Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez. Clark has consistently supported amendments to the law since 2021, while Gonzalez’s office has remained tight-lipped about the ongoing negotiations.

Assemblywoman Latrice Walker, a staunch supporter of the original law, expressed her concerns about potential changes. “I don’t believe that we should have a bartering as it relates to which charges are going to be held in family court as opposed to going into the adult court youth part,” she stated, emphasizing the importance of judicial discretion.

As the debate heats up, Gov. Kathy Hochul has yet to take a definitive stance on the proposed changes. During a summer briefing, she indicated that she would review all laws upon returning to the legislative session, stating, “I will be looking at all the laws as I get back to the legislative session and talking about what is best for the people of this state.”

The District Attorneys Association of the State of New York is urging the legislature to act swiftly, highlighting the difficulties faced by law enforcement in youth cases that are typically handled in family court. “We need to be able to look at the offender’s history, their background…We need the ability to know what’s going on in family courts,” said DAASNY President Mary Pat Donnelly.

Caucus members from the state’s Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Legislative Caucus are advocating for enhanced funding and resources to address youth crime without rolling back protections for young offenders. Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages emphasized that any conversation about the law should focus on fiscal challenges rather than amendments to the law itself.

As lawmakers and stakeholders continue to negotiate, the urgency for reform is palpable. The upcoming legislative session promises to be a critical turning point for New York’s criminal justice system, with potential implications for youth offenders across the state.

What happens next? The discussions are set to continue, with all eyes on Albany as lawmakers prepare for an intense legislative battle. As tensions rise, the future of the Raise the Age law hangs in the balance, reflecting broader societal debates over justice and youth accountability.

Stay tuned for more updates as this situation develops.