Illinois Increases Juvenile Court Age Cutoff to 17
Mar 12, 2010, Jeff Long, Chicago Tribune
When a 17-year-old girl was caught stealing $300 worth of clothing at a mall a few weeks ago, she was charged with a misdemeanor in juvenile court. Before Jan. 1, she could have been in even bigger trouble.
She would have been charged as an adult, leaving a permanent mark on her record that could complicate her finding work and prohibit her family from living in public housing, among other consequences.
Advocates say the change in state law — applying only to 17-year-olds charged with…
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- Issues
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Aftercare
, Community-based alternatives
, Evidence-based practices
, Juvenile indigent defense
, Mental health
, Racial-ethnic fairness/DMC
, Right-sizing jurisdiction
- States
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Illinois
- Action networks
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DMC Action Network
, Indigent Defense Action Network
, Mental Health / Juvenile Justice Action Network