Raise the Age Continues Forward Momentum

Liz Gullett

Apr 19, 2019

Seventeen-year-olds would be treated as juveniles in the criminal justice system under legislation reported by the House Judiciary Committee this week. Currently, Michigan is one of four states that automatically prosecute 17-year-olds as adults. Under the bipartisan package, beginning October 1, 2021, seventeen-year-olds would be treated as minors within the juvenile system in most circumstances. Since the juvenile system is administered at the local level, the proposal includes a funding plan to help local communities with any additional costs. Additionally, prosecutors would continue to have discretion, allowing them to waive minors who commit violent crimes into the adult system. House Judiciary Chairman Graham Filler (R-DeWitt) hopes the plan will result in brighter futures for teenage offenders. The bills have been sent to the House floor for consideration. A package of similar bills was introduced in the Senate in February.

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