Officials urge state to make changes to juvenile justice system, News 14 Carolina (06.07.2011)
RALEIGH – Former judges and law enforcement officials called on legislators to raise the age in which a person can be criminally tried as an adult in North Carolina.
During a news conference at the General Assembly Tuesday, they asked lawmakers to pass two bills that would raise the age of juvenile jurisdiction from 16 to 18.
Officials say the bills would not solve all the problems but they believe it would help prevent crime and save taxpayers millions.
“I don’t think this bill is the ‘magic bullet’… but it is the right step in the right direction to put a lot of kids in a better circumstance,” said Former N.C. Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr.
The bills would raise the age of jurisdiction for non-violent crimes only. Those who commit serious crimes would remain in the adult system.
Forty-eight other states have adopted similar legislation.