What do four legislative study committees, the John Locke Foundation and a bipartisan group of North Carolina legislators have in common?
They all agree it is time for North Carolina to Raise the Age.
Last night the House Rules Committee voted favorably to raise the age of juvenile court jurisdiction in North Carolina from 16 to 18. In order for this legislation to remain viable in next year’s short session, we need to clear one last hurdle.
NORTH CAROLINA CHILDREN NEED YOU TO TAKE ACTION NOW!
Please call and write your House Representatives and urge them to call a vote on HB 725, Raise the Age. Adjournment is near, it could even be tomorrow!Here are a few helpful talking points:
- We all want our kids to learn from their mistakes, go to school and get good jobs.
- North Carolina remains one of only two states that prosecutes ALL 16- and 17-year-olds as adults, no matter how minor the offense.
- Raising the age in North Carolina will be a gradual process taking place over a period of multiple years to spread the impact of the legislation on the budget and ensure a smooth implementation.
- Raising the age means improved job opportunities for the thousands of 16 and 17-year-old misdemeanants who would live without an adult criminal record.
- These youth could then get better jobs, earn more, and contribute further to North Carolina’s economy over their lifetime.
- Most states have found that the actual cost of implementing this policy was much less than projected.
- Research is clear: youth handled in the juvenile system recidivate far less than youth in the adult system. Less crime means a huge savings for tax payers and more people at work making our economy strong.
- I ask you, on behalf of taxpayers in your district, to support bipartisan legislation to Raise the Age of juvenile jurisdiction (HB 725).
Don’t know who represents you? Visit bit.ly/ncgarep to identify your representatives.
PLEASE SHARE THIS CALL TO ACTION WITH YOUR NETWORKS!!!