Raise the Age Legislation Reform for the Juvenile Justice System

Abstract

Juvenile justice policies in New York State put adolescents at risk for experiencing trauma in the criminal justice system. As a result of their precarious stage of development and limitations in brain functioning, adolescents face grave consequences when prosecuted and sentenced as adults. Adolescents need to be given sustainable solutions through rehabilitation in order to discourage recidivism upon release. Juvenile justice is not accomplishing its goals of lowering crime rates, nor is it working to reduce recidivism. These realities, in addition to theory, help to prove that reform is necessary.