Letter Supporting Raise the Age (SB 434), The Childrens Alliance

June 2012

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Letter from members of The Children’s Alliance to members of House Judiciary Subcommittee A Members:

As advocates for children in Mecklenburg County, we strongly support SB434 to raise the juvenile age from 16 to 18 for youth who commit misdemeanors.

Current scientific research on adolescent brain development shows that teenagers’ brains are still developing adult reasoning capabilities and that environmental influences affect this development. Research and experience show that adolescents are at a vulnerable stage in life when adult behaviors are more accessible, but they do not have the same capacity to regulate these behaviors as adults do. During this time, adolescents are particularly susceptible to making the kinds of poor decisions that get them involved in the criminal justice system.

Beyond what current research tells us about brain development, studies have shown that 16 and 17 year olds who are dealt with as juveniles tend to fare better than those who are treated as adults. NC is one of only two states that treats these youth as adults.  In the juvenile system, there is much more attention given to understanding the underlying factors which contributed to youth breaking the law, and there are resources to support the youth in rehabilitation.  Also, the juvenile court system has the means to hold parents accountable and require their involvement in whatever is needed to ensure that the youth takes advantage of those resources. This is a very different and we believe a better approach in intervening in the lives of adolescents.

Adolescence is a time of tremendous opportunity, but to maximize this opportunity, teenagers must be provided appropriate guidance, a nurturing environment and support. These types of positive experiences, relationships and role models can help prevent youth from becoming involved in criminal activity and help those who are already involved in the criminal system get back on a positive pathway to adulthood.

We want kids in North Carolina to have the same opportunities as kids in 48 other states. This bill is best for our youth, our state and our economy.

Thank you if already support raising the age!

MEMBERS OF THE CHILDREN’S ALLIANCE:

A Child’s Place l Alexander Youth Network l Bethlehem Center l Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Charlotte l Care Ring l Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department l Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools l Child Care Resources Inc. l Children’s Home Society of NC l Citizen Schools NC l Communities in Schools l Council for Children’s Rights l Freedom School Partners l Institute for Social Capital l Jewish Family Services of Greater Charlotte l Kids Need 2 Parents l Levine Children’s Hospital l MeckEd l Mecklenburg County Area Mental Health l Mecklenburg County Health Department l Pat’s Place Child Advocacy Center l Presbyterian Community Care Cruiser l Right Moves for Youth l Smart Start of Mecklenburg County l Teen Health Connection l The Relatives, Inc. l Thompson Child & Family Focus l United Family Services l Youth Village l YMCA of Greater Charlotte