Raise the Age

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Raise the Age

Improving the Way New York's Justice System Treats Young People

The FY 2018 Budget includes legislation to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 18 years of age. New York was previously one of only two states that automatically prosecuted 16- and 17-year-olds as adults. This injustice unfairly punished youth and prevented them from receiving the services they need to rehabilitate themselves and re-integrate into their communities. New York’s youth who commit non-violent crimes will now receive age-appropriate housing and programming to lower their risk of re-offense.

Raise the Age Implementation Task Force

A team of social service and law enforcement experts will evaluate state and local efforts to implement the groundbreaking Raise the Age law.

Task Force Report
Task Force Members

ADVANCING SOCIAL JUSTICE FOR NEW YORK’S YOUTH

Adolescent Offender

Learn more about the new classification created by the Raise the Age legislation.

Resources

Find out more about the Raise the Age program in New York State.

Raise the Age

Age of Criminal Responsibility Raised to 18-years-old

All 16- and 17-year-olds who commit non-violent crimes will receive the intervention and evidence-based treatment they need.

Specialized Juvenile Detention Facilities

Rather than adult jails and prisons, young people will be placed in specialized juvenile detention facilities certified by the State Office of Children and Family Services, in conjunction with the State Commission of Correction.

Phased-In Implementation

The Raise the Age legislation will take effect for 16-year-olds on October 1, 2018 and 17-year-olds on October 1, 2019.

Learn More

Progress

Request to Seal Records

If you have a criminal conviction and have remained crime-free for 10 years you may be eligible to request to have your records sealed.

Raise the Age

Law enforcement, local leaders, and advocates express support for the Governor's plan to improve how New York's justice system treats young people.