“Raise The Age Law” Takes Effect in New York State

Governor Cuomo announced yesterday that the "Raise The Age law is now in effect in New York. As of midnight October 1st, the law removes 16 year olds who have committed a criminal act from the adult criminal justice system and places them in age-appropriate settings where they can receive services and treatment to avoid recidivism.  The law prohibits 16 and 17 year olds from being housed at Rikers Island.

Those 16 year olds who are arrested for non violent offenses will now have the same opportunities for diversion and community based services as youth 15 and under.  Meanwhile, 16 year olds charged with serious offenses will be processed as adolescent offenders in a Youth Part of criminal court and placed in specialized secure detention facilities for adolescents instead of adult jails.  The law will extend to 17 year olds on October 1, 2019.  The legislation was passed as part of the Fiscal Year 2018 budget.