A juvenile-justice panel is recommending raising the age of criminal responsibility in New York from 16 to 18, shifting nonviolent offenses for those under 18 to Family Court, and keeping young people out of adult jails.
The recommendations are part of a 200-page report presented to Gov. Cuomo on Monday by his Commission on Youth, Public Safety and Justice. Cuomo said he will submit legislation to enact the suggestions.
The commission said the proposals are projected to reduce personal crimes by 1,500 to 2,400 every five years by intervening early and breaking the cycle of recidivism.
The panel recommends raising the age of criminal responsibility to 17 in 2017 and to 18 in 2018.