LANSING, MI (MPRN)-- A package of bills aimed at raising the age Michigan residents can be tried as adults passed out of a House committee Wednesday.
Under current Michigan law 17-year-olds are automatically tried as adults. The bill package would raise that age to 18 years of age.
Jason Smith is the Director of Youth Justice Policy for the Michigan Council on Crime and Delinquency. The group supports the legislation.
“Michigan is one of only four states in the entire country that still treats 17 year olds as adults in the justice system no matter what their offense is. It was the right thing to do and the right time to do it,” he says.
Bill sponsors say the legislation also includes increased reimbursement for juvenile justice programs.
Two representatives voted against the legislation. They raised concerns about including 17-year-olds with 12-year-olds in the juvenile justice system.