Assemblyman Michael Durso (R-Massapequa Park) joined a bipartisan coalition of state lawmakers and district attorneys from around the state for a press conference to repeal “Raise the Age” laws that allow a dangerous loophole for 16- and 17-year-old violent offenders to be prosecuted in family court – oftentimes receiving lighter sentences and sealed records.

“How long are we going to allow criminals to run wild in our state with no consequences for their actions?” Durso asked. “Our streets are unsafe, and people do not feel protected. The public deserves to know that violent offenders are behind bars rather than back out on the streets after committing violent crimes.”

Crimes that “Raise the Age,” in most instances, automatically send an offender to family court include: sex offenses, robbery, burglary and making a terroristic threat. According to the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) Raise the Age Statistics, in 2021, only 9% of 16- and 17-year-old felony offenders ever received a felony conviction.

“Perhaps the worst consequence of this law is that gangs in New York State and Long Island are using teenagers to run guns and drugs because when caught, they know that teens will not be charged as adults,” Durso continued. “We need to fix the law to keep the public safe and hold criminals accountable.”