Assemblyman Smullen advocates to end ‘Raise the Age’ policy

A state lawmaker, who represents the North Country, is calling for an end to New York’s ‘Raise the Age’ Law.

Recently attending a press conference with Assembly Minority Leader Barclay, numerous district attorneys and fellow Republican colleagues, Assemblyman Robert Smullen (R, C – Mohawk Valley and the Adirondacks) says youthful offenders are able to escape justice even if they commit violent felonies due to Raise the Age.'

"As New York deals with rising crime, my Republican colleagues and I have come to the table with actual solutions such as ending Raise the Age,” Smullen said.

“Unfortunately for the people of this state, Democrat leaders in Albany would rather placate their progressive, far-left base than work with us to improve the lives of all New Yorkers. Ending Raise the Age is a common-sense solution that should be bipartisan. It is a dangerous policy that allows violent criminals to walk our streets."

In 2021, Smullen’s office says 112 youthful offenders were arrested for murder, 80 for sex crimes, 587 for firearm offenses, 691 for robbery, 213 for burglary and 20 for making a terroristic threat.

Despite this, only 114 youthful offenders received sentences of over one year, in fact, only 9% of 16- and 17-year-olds arrested on felony charges receive a felony conviction, he iterated.

The Fiscal Year 2018 budget included legislation to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 18-years in New York.

Under the former Andrew Cuomo Administration, the once Governor said not having a raise the age law unfairly punished youth and prevented them from receiving the services they need to rehabilitate themselves and re-integrate into their communities.

Image via the office of New York Assemblyman Robert Smullen.