Assemblyman Keith Brown (R,C-Northport) supports Albany County District Attorney David Soares in publicly condemning Albany Majority’s Raise the Age law, which has allowed teen criminals like Aalias Gilbert to repeatedly commit violent crimes and escape criminal liability, and in addition, has prevented judges from seeing a child or teen’s juvenile court records when making decisions in criminal court cases. Last week, 17-year-old Aalias Gilbert pleaded guilty to shooting and killing 21-year-old NA’Heim Burbridge earlier this summer—a horrific crime many believe could have been avoided had Gilbert faced serious punishment for previous crimes he committed.

“Setting troubled teens on the right path as early as possible is the best way to prevent tragedy in the future,” said Brown. “Teens who have a history of committing violent crimes against others must face accountability and be provided appropriate rehabilitation services to prevent their crimes from escalating or prevent future crimes altogether. The Burbridge family’s lives have been forever changed by Aalias Gilbert’s actions, and Raise the Age played a role in allowing Gilbert to lead a life of crime without receiving the punishment and help he clearly needed. Raise the Age must be modified to address this and similar circumstances so we do not see horrific murders like this continue in our state.”

Editor’s Note: To read an article by the Times Union about this topic, please click here.