Today, Assemblyman Robert Smullen (R,C-Mohawk Valley and the Adirondacks) attended a press conference with Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R,C-Pulaski), several district attorneys and his Minority colleagues to call for the end of the dangerous ‘Raise the Age’ policy. Youthful offenders are able to escape justice even if they commit violent felonies due to Raise the Age.’ In 2021, 112 youthful offenders were arrested for murder, 80 for sex crimes, 587 for firearm offenses, 691 for robbery, 213 for burglary and 20 for making a terroristic threat. Despite this, only 114 youthful offenders received sentences of over one year, in fact, only 9% of 16- and 17-year-olds arrested on felony charges receive a felony conviction.

“As New York deals with rising crime, my Minority colleagues and I have come to the table with actual solutions such as ending Raise the Age. Unfortunately for the people of this state, Majority leaders in Albany would rather placate their progressive, far-left base than work with us to improve the lives of all New Yorkers. Ending Raise the Age is a common-sense solution that should be bipartisan. It is a dangerous policy that allows violent criminals to walk our streets,” said Smullen.

Smullen also noted that Raise the Age is unfair to victims and the community because it allows offenders' records to be sealed when they turn 18.

“I cannot think of anything more insulting to a victim of a violent crime than having their attacker be treated like a child and being able to walk free, while also having their records sealed so no one will be able to know they are a violent offender. It is also dangerous to our community, because if these offenders re-offend, they will be treated as first-time offenders when that simply is not the case. We must end Raise the Age to make New York safer,” concluded Smullen.