The age of criminal responsibility (ACR) in New York is a complex and controversial topic. The current law sets the ACR at 18 years old, but there are a number of exceptions to this rule. In this article, we will explore the history of the ACR in New York, the current law, and the arguments for and against raising the ACR.
History of the Age of Criminal Responsibility in New York
The ACR in New York has been a topic of debate for centuries. In the early days of the state, children were treated as adults in the criminal justice system. However, in the late 19th century, a movement began to grow to raise the ACR. This movement was led by reformers who argued that children were not mature enough to be held fully responsible for their actions.
In 1892, New York passed its first law raising the ACR. The law set the ACR at 16 years old for males and 18 years old for females. This law was a significant step forward, but it still left many children vulnerable to being treated as adults in the criminal justice system.
In 1941, the Rockefeller Drug Laws were passed in New York. These laws created mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenses, and they also lowered the ACR for drug offenses to 14 years old. The Rockefeller Drug Laws had a devastating impact on the lives of young people in New York. Many children were arrested and sentenced to long prison terms for nonviolent drug offenses.
In the 1970s, a movement began to grow to raise the ACR for all offenses. This movement was led by civil rights activists and juvenile justice advocates. In 1978, New York passed a law raising the ACR to 16 years old for all offenses.
In 1982, the federal government passed the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA). The JJDPA set the ACR for federal offenses at 18 years old. The JJDPA also provided funding for states to raise their ACRs.
In 1985, New York passed a law raising the ACR to 18 years old for all offenses. This law was a major victory for juvenile justice advocates.
The Current Law
The current law in New York sets the ACR at 18 years old for all offenses. However, there are a number of exceptions to this rule. Children under the age of 18 can be tried as adults in the following cases:
- If they are charged with a murder that occurred on or after their 14th birthday
- If they are charged with a violent felony that occurred on or after their 16th birthday
- If they are charged with a felony drug offense that occurred on or after their 18th birthday
Children who are tried as adults in New York are subject to the same penalties as adults. They can be sentenced to prison for life, and they may also be eligible for the death penalty.
Arguments for and Against Raising the Age of Criminal Responsibility
There are a number of arguments for and against raising the ACR in New York.
Arguments for raising the ACR:
- Children are not mature enough to be held fully responsible for their actions.
- The criminal justice system is not designed to handle children.
- Raising the ACR would reduce the number of children in prison.
- Raising the ACR would save money.
Arguments against raising the ACR:
- Some children are mature enough to be held responsible for their actions.
- The criminal justice system needs to be able to protect society from dangerous children.
- Raising the ACR would make it easier for children to get away with crimes.
- Raising the ACR would cost money.
Conclusion
The ACR in New York is a complex and controversial topic. There are strong arguments on both sides of the issue. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to raise the ACR is a matter of public policy.
Tables
Table 1: Age of Criminal Responsibility in New York
| Age | Offenses |
|---|---|
| 14 | Murder |
| 16 | Violent felonies (except murder) |
| 18 | All other felonies |
Table 2: Number of Children Arrested in New York
| Year | Number of Children Arrested |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 60,000 |
| 2015 | 40,000 |
| 2020 | 20,000 |
Table 3: Number of Children in Prison in New York
| Year | Number of Children in Prison |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 5,000 |
| 2015 | 3,000 |
| 2020 | 1,000 |
Table 4: Cost of Incarcerating Children in New York
| Year | Cost (in millions) |
|---|---|
| 2010 | $1 billion |
| 2015 | $750 million |
| 2020 | $500 million |
Tips and Tricks
- Remember that children are not adults. They are not as mature or as responsible, and they should not be held to the same standards.
- The criminal justice system is not designed to handle children. It is a system that is designed to punish adults.
- Raising the ACR would reduce the number of children in prison. This would save money and it would also make our communities safer.
- Raising the ACR would make it more difficult for children to get away with crimes. This would help to protect society from dangerous children.
- Raising the ACR would cost money. However, the benefits of raising the ACR would outweigh the costs.
