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September 18, 2007

Lynch urges repeal of law trying 17-year-olds as adults

Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch today called on the General Assembly to repeal the recently-approved law requiring that all 17-years-olds be prosecuted as adults.

With a Senate committee hearing scheduled on the matter tomorrow at 3 p.m., Lynch's office issued a release today saying there are 12 “statutory inconsistencies” that are “in force and effect,'' causing confusion because they do not reflect changes spurred by the law for 17-year-olds.

Lynch has said his office has received several inquiries from police and towns' solicitors about prosecuting 17-year-olds.

“From a public policy perspective, placing 17-year-olds in the adult criminal process and system is short sighted. From a budgetary point of view, any savings hoped for under the new law are and will continue to be illusory," Lynch said in a letter to House Speaker William J. Murphy and Senate President Joseph A. Montalbano. "From a human perspective, it is dangerous for the 17-year-old offenders themselves and, longer term, damaging to their prospects for productivity and success in life."

Lynch is among those expected to testify to the committee tomorrow.

The local chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union has also raised objections to the law, including issues created for students applying for financial aid.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney, with Journal archival reports

Posted by Mike McKinney  at 2:48 PM | Permalink

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R Moore | September 18, 2007 4:27 PM link

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