Today, Assemblyman Michael Novakhov (R-Brooklyn) joined Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R,C-Pulaski), local district attorneys and his Republican colleagues to call for an end to ‘Raise the Age.’ Raise the Age allows for those under the age of 18 to escape justice by having their cases filed in family court. In fact, in 2021, only 9% of 16- and 17-year-olds arrested for felonies received a felony conviction, and 83% had their cases handled in family court, this includes those charged for murders, robbery, sex offenses and firearm charges.

“We must fix Raise the Age; the fact of the matter is dangerous gangs are recruiting children to commit these heinous crimes because they know minors will not receive harsh penalties. Many of these children are forced into gangs at an early age and we support a pathway forward for our youth to succeed. I regularly advocate for community based programs to help these kids get out of gangs and off the streets, but when talking to my constituents, they tell me they are worried about crime and are afraid in their own neighborhoods. This is unacceptable; I will do everything in my power to make sure we get violent criminals off our streets so my constituents feel safe, that includes getting rid of Raise the Age,” said Novakhov.

Under Raise the Age, once an offender turns 18 their criminal records are sealed, meaning not only will they be considered first-time offenders if they re-offend, but those who may run a background check on them will not be able to see if they have committed a violent felony.

“It is totally inappropriate to seal the criminal records of youthful offenders when they turn 18. Potential employers have the right to know if the person they are hiring has committed violent actions before. Just imagine, a mother is hiring a babysitter for her young child, and because of sealed records, she cannot see that the person she is thinking about hiring has been charged or convicted of a violent felony. This is unacceptable and we must do better for the people of this state, that includes repealing Raise the Age,” concluded Novakhov.