New York’s Raise the Age law has created dangerous loopholes that criminal gangs are exploiting, according to Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay, who says the law has fueled a surge in youth violence while weakening law enforcement’s ability to respond.
Barclay argues the policy shift—raising the age of criminal responsibility to 18—has allowed violent teenage offenders to avoid serious consequences by diverting their cases to Family Court. “Youth violence in New York has skyrocketed while gangs recruit those under 18 to do their bidding,” he wrote in a public column. “They’ll be siphoned off to more lenient Family Court instead of facing substantial consequences.”
Data cited from the state Division of Criminal Justice Services shows a steep drop in serious felony convictions for youth offenders. In 2017, nearly 60% of 16- and 17-year-olds charged with serious crimes were convicted in adult court. By 2024, that number had fallen to less than 10%, with only 211 juveniles confined to a state facility for more than a year out of 4,475 offenders.
The offenses are severe: 159 arrests for homicide, 613 for weapons charges, 818 for assault, 1,292 for robbery, and 65 for sex offenses.
Barclay criticized state Democrats for failing to address the fallout. “Refusing to allow prosecution of them isn’t reform, it’s insanity,” he said.
He and other members of the Assembly Minority Conference have introduced legislation to close what they call critical gaps in the law. One proposal, A.4705, would keep violent felony cases in criminal court unless all parties agree to move them to Family Court. Other bills aim to prevent automatic transfers of gun or larceny cases to the juvenile system.
Barclay warned that without reform, the summer will bring more violence and fewer options for law enforcement. “These policies have done nothing but make our streets less safe and empower criminal enterprises,” he said.
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