Op-Ed: Raising the Age Saves Young Lives
For years New York has borne the unfortunate and unlikely distinction of being one of only two states in the U.S. that prosecutes 16- and 17-year olds as adults. Action by Governor Cuomo and the New York State Legislature has finally ended this barbaric practice that ruins young lives and threatens public safety. When a 16- or 17-year old is arrested and treated as an adult, there is no requirement to notify parents. The practice assumes that a child of this age knows her or his legal rights and has the knowledge and understanding to make an informed decision to
