RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Hundreds of advocates for North Carolina children say they came to Raleigh to encourage General Assembly members to invest in education and health care and reduce the number of people tried as adults for low-level crimes.

Doctors, child care operators, parents and law enforcement officials visited legislators on Wednesday and tried to highlight the importance of funding programs that help children. They came following several years of spending cuts under both Democratic and Republican leadership at the legislature.

The North Carolina General Assembly is considering legislation that would prohibit use of certain chemicals in children’s products sold in the state. It would also establish a list of high concern and priority chemicals and require children’s product manufacturers to report on the use of these chemicals and assess alternatives to ensure their human health safety.

How young is too young to stand trial as an adult?

A bill that would give prosecutors authority to try juveniles in N.C. Superior Court has galvanized children’s rights and civil rights advocates.

Bills Affect Young Offenders in Different Ways

On April 17, 2013 Rep. Marilyn Avila and advocates held a press conference on the Young Offenders Rehabilitation Act (H725). This legislation raises the age of juvenile jurisdiction from 16 to 18 years old for misdemeanors.

Before I get into the nitty gritty, I just want to get something off my chest. I love North Carolina. Truly I do. It took me a long time to get there, in part because moving to a new town when you're 10 is hard and I didn't want to allow myself to love this new place. But I do. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, and I have found that to be almost painfully true as someone who is no longer a resident of North Carolina. I find myself often longing for the cool mountain breezes, ice-cold creeks, sweet tea, and southern hospitality.

By Olu Alemoru, Staff WriterLos Angeles Wave | 0 comments

By Judge Marcia Morey and Judge Beth Dixon