By Olu Alemoru, Staff Writer | Posted: Monday, March 18, 2013 7:31 pm
A national movement to end trying minors in the adult criminal justice system is calling for the defeat of a North Carolina bill that allegedly would do just that.
According to the Campaign for Youth Justice (CYJ), lawmakers there introduced legislation that would allow for children as young as 13 to be prosecuted as adults.
The group claim HB 217 would remove judicial discretion for certain felonies alllegedly committed by juveniles 13 years or older.
Currently under North Carolina law, judges weigh the protection of the public and the best interests of the juvenile in determining whether to transfer the case to adult court.
Just by a written motions, Section 7 of HB 217 gives prosecutors absolute power to prosecute juveniles 13 years or older in the adult criminal court system and strips juvenile courts judges of their decision-making powers.
CYJ are calling for local supporters to pack the HB 217 hearing March 20 at 10 a.m. at the General Assembly in Raleigh and to sign an online and get involved by emailing ncyouthjustice@gmail.com.