On Sunday, New York lawmakers voted to increase the age of criminal responsibility, meaning the state will stop charging and sentencing minors as adults.
The increase is set to be in motion in October of 2019 and requires offenders under the age of 18 to be sent to juvenile facilities instead of adult jails and prisons. This will allow teens to receive rehabilitation and treatment instead of brutality and torture.In 2018, the age of criminal responsibility will be increased to 17, then 18 in 2019.
The measure also includes a clause concerning nonviolent offenders that will allow them to apply to have their records sealed after 10 years. The increase comes as part of a $100 million budget deal, approved on the heels of the resurfacing of Kalief Browder’s story.