Earlier this month, police reported that three youth stabbed a man near the Ithaca Commons. The process for the felony charges for the minors was a little different for police and prosecutors, as it was the first time they had to navigate new Raise the Age legislation for a serious crime in Tompkins County.
Raise the Age legislation, signed by Gov. Cuomo last year, officially took effect in New York in October. The law diverts many of the cases of 16-year-old defendants from criminal court to Family Court and applies to a variety of crimes, ranging from misdemeanors to felonies. The new law impacts several steps in the legal process, including how youth are charged, housed and rehabilitated and encompasses a comprehensive approach to raising the age of criminal responsibility for 16- and 17-year-olds. Currently, Raise the Age only affects 16-year-olds. On Oct. 1, 2019, the law will take effect for 17-year-olds.
The Ithaca Voice:
Read More
