District attorneys want to tighten New York’s youth justice law after a deadly summer in Albany, according to Spectrum News. Their top ask: amending “Raise the Age,” which kept 16- and 17-year-olds out of adult court but, DAs say, has loopholes letting violent teens avoid serious consequences.
Rensselaer County DA Mary Pat Donnelly said the law works in many cases — but needs fixes, like unsealing records from family court and lowering the bar for gun cases to stay in criminal court.
Some lawmakers agree funding is a problem, but argue the law’s core shouldn’t be changed during backroom budget talks. Gov. Hochul hasn’t committed to supporting reforms yet.
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