New York Lawmakers Urged to Reform “Raise the Age” Law NOW

UPDATE: New York lawmakers are gearing up for a heated debate over the controversial 2017 Raise the Age law, which prevents youth offenders aged 16 and 17 from being tried as adults. This urgent discussion follows calls from key officials, including newly appointed NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who advocates for immediate reform.

Tisch, speaking at a Citizens Budget Commission event in September, emphasized the necessity of revising the law, stating, “Though I believe that the law was well-intentioned, we need now to roll up our sleeves and make adjustments based on the realities we are seeing on the ground.” This sweeping call for change is echoed by several district attorneys across the state, highlighting a growing consensus for reform.

The dialogue intensified at the recent SOMOS conference in Puerto Rico, attended by prominent figures such as Bronx DA Darcel Clark and Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez. While Clark has long supported amending Raise the Age, Gonzalez’s office has remained tight-lipped about the private discussions.

Assemblywoman Latrice Walker, a staunch defender of the existing law, voiced her concerns about changing the policy. “Hopefully, we will continue to allow judges the discretion they need to make the best decisions,” she told Spectrum News 1, emphasizing the importance of judicial flexibility in these sensitive cases.

On Wednesday, Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani confirmed he will retain Tisch as the city’s top cop when he assumes office in January, positioning her reform agenda as a priority in Albany next year. “The number of kids that are victims of shootings is up 83%,” Tisch revealed, citing alarming statistics that indicate the impact of the current law. She added, “The number of kids that are shooters is up almost 100% since those laws changed.”

The urgency for reform is palpable as police and prosecutors criticize the current law for complicating cases involving young offenders. The District Attorneys Association of the State of New York is advocating for legislative action in the upcoming budget, stressing the need for transparency in family court cases. DAASNY President Mary Pat Donnelly stated, “We need to know what’s going on in family courts so that we can make informed decisions.”

While Tisch and district attorneys agree that 16- and 17-year-olds do not belong in adult prisons, Walker argues that justice is best served when cases are managed in family court, maintaining that judicial discretion is crucial. “I don’t believe we should have a bartering as it relates to which charges are held in family court,” she asserted.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has yet to take a definitive stance on the proposed changes. Her office referenced remarks made earlier this summer, indicating her intention to review all laws ahead of the legislative session. “I will be talking about what is best for the people of this state,” she stated in August.

Members of the state Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Legislative Caucus are collaborating on a working group focused on the policy, aiming to secure funding mechanisms that address youth crime without altering the existing law. Caucus chair Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages stressed that “Raise the Age was established to protect children,” underscoring that any discussions on the law must prioritize fiscal challenges facing localities.

The upcoming legislative session is poised to be a battleground, with both sides gearing up for a significant fight over the future of the Raise the Age law. As tensions rise, the fate of New York’s youth justice system hangs in the balance, sparking urgent conversations about how best to protect vulnerable young people while addressing rising crime rates.

Stay tuned for more updates as this critical situation develops.