UPDATE: New York lawmakers are gearing up for an urgent debate on the controversial Raise the Age law that shields youth offenders from adult court, just as key figures signal a push for reform. As discussions heat up, former New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining Jessica Tisch as NYPD Commissioner, who is advocating for significant changes to the legislation.
The Raise the Age law, enacted in 2017, moved 16- and 17-year-olds out of adult court, raising the age of criminal responsibility to 18. This law has come under fire from law enforcement and district attorneys, who argue it complicates cases involving youthful offenders. Commissioner Tisch, speaking at a Citizens Budget Commission event in September, stated, “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 a hundred percent in that time.”
Key lawmakers, including Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark and Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, discussed potential amendments to the law during the annual SOMOS conference in Puerto Rico earlier this month. While Clark has been vocal about the need for changes since 2021, Gonzalez’s office has remained silent on the ongoing discussions.
Assemblywoman Latrice Walker, a staunch supporter of the existing law, emphasized the importance of judicial discretion, stating, “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.” The tension between reform advocates and staunch supporters is palpable as both sides prepare for what promises to be a contentious legislative session.
As the pressure mounts, the District Attorneys Association of the State of New York is pushing for immediate legislative action, citing the need to access case histories in family court, which are currently sealed. DAASNY President Mary Pat Donnelly remarked, “We need the ability to know what’s going in family courts so that when something occurs, we can make the right decision about whether they should be retained in adult court.”
Governor Kathy Hochul has yet to take a firm stance on the proposed changes but has indicated a willingness to review all laws as the legislative session approaches. In a statement made in August, she noted, “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 growing urgency around the Raise the Age debate is further fueled by concerns that the law has failed to achieve its intended goals of protecting young individuals while ensuring public safety. As the state’s Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Legislative Caucus engages in discussions around potential reforms, caucus chair Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages emphasized the need for adequate funding to address youth crime without altering the law. “Raise the Age was established to protect children, and any conversation about this law must start with the truth that its biggest challenges are fiscal,” she stated.
With the legislative session looming, all eyes are on Albany as discussions continue. The stakes are high for both proponents and opponents of the law, as the future of New York’s juvenile justice system hangs in the balance. The next steps will involve further negotiations among lawmakers, district attorneys, and community leaders, making it clear that this debate is far from over.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
