Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association expresses concern over bill that will raise the age of juvenile jurisdiction

BOSTON, MA – A hearing was held last week on a Massachusetts bill that would increase the age in the juvenile court, and a law enforcement group is expressing their thoughts on the legislation.

The Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association has submitted testimony opposing House Bill 1923, which would gradually raise the age of juvenile jurisdiction to 21.

“While the bill aims to promote better outcomes for youth, it would create major challenges for public safety, campus investigations, and accountability. At 18, individuals can vote, serve in the military, sign contracts, and even sit on a jury to determine someone else’s guilt, yet under this proposal, they would not be fully responsible for their own criminal actions.

“Massachusetts already provides extensive diversion and rehabilitation opportunities for young adults, and data show that very few 18- to 21-year-olds receive convictions for minor offenses. Expanding the juvenile system to include this population is unnecessary, costly, and operationally impractical.”

Raise the Age MA, who is championing the bill, states that it will decrease crime.

“Young adults are highly amenable to rehabilitation. Keeping 18 – 20-year-olds in the juvenile system, where they must attend school and participate in rehabilitative programming will lower recidivism.

“CDC research has shown that similar adolescents had a 34 percent lower recidivism rate when they were in the juvenile versus adult system.  In Massachusetts, the recidivism rate for formerly incarcerated young people is lower for those committed to DYS compared to those incarcerated in the adults system (26% vs. 55% re-conviction rate)

“Transition age youth are highly influenced by their environments. Adult jail and prison increases offending behavior.

“Massachusetts policy makers raised the age of juvenile court to keep 17-year-olds out of the adult system in 2013. Since then, juvenile arrests have declined by 44%, and has seen faster declines in violent and property crime rates than the national average. Juvenile court case filings have declined by 24% during that period.”

State Reps. James J. O’Day and Manny Cruz are the presenters of the bill.