What's happening
This bill raises the minimum age for criminal responsibility in New York from sixteen to eighteen years old.
Why it matters
Raises the threshold for prosecuting minors as adults. By increasing the minimum age for criminal responsibility from sixteen to eighteen, this bill would prevent most 16- and 17-year-olds from being prosecuted in the adult criminal justice system, potentially diverting them to juvenile or family court systems instead.
Potential impact on youth rehabilitation and recidivism. Research often shows that youth processed in juvenile systems have better access to age-appropriate services and support, which can lead to lower rates of reoffending compared to those processed as adults.
Aligns New York with national trends. Many states have been moving toward raising the age of criminal responsibility to 18, reflecting evolving understanding of adolescent brain development and international human rights standards.
Shifts burden to juvenile justice system. The bill could increase the caseload for juvenile courts and related services, possibly requiring additional resources and changes in how New York handles older teenagers accused of crimes.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Raise Criminal Age to 18
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to codes
- Held for consideration in codes
- Referred to codes
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5012
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 6, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. O'DONNELL, JAFFEE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the penal law, in relation to increasing the applicable age for the defense of infancy
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 30.00 of the penal law, as amended by chapter 481 of the laws of 1978, is amended to read as follows:
1. Except as provided in subdivision two of this section, a person less than [sixteen] eighteen years old is not criminally responsible for conduct.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09391-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.