Raise the Age (for the Judicial System to treat children as adults)

The League of Woman Voters of Saratoga County will hold a Public Policy Forum on the topic of whether 16 and 17 year olds should be treated as adults in the NYS Court System. Typically the criminal law treats children differently than it treats adults. New York is the only state other than North Carolina where ALL youth 16 years of age and older face the possibility of prosecution as adults in the criminal courts, according to Barbara Thomas, meeting chair. Leagues in New York State will be examining this issue this fall with a goal of adopting a juvenile justice position statewide. The Forum will be held on Monday, November 23rd from 6 pm to 8 pm in the Dutcher Community Room of the Saratoga Springs Public Library. Soup and other light refreshments will be available that evening. Speakers include Paige Pierce and Karin Carreau, from Families Together, and Malta Town Court Justice, James Fauci. Following the presentation, league members will remain to decide if they concur with the main principles of a position adopted by the League of Women Voters of Ohio. For more information visit www.lwvsaratoga.org.