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Signed Bill Allows Teens to be Tried in Juvenile Court
Governor Pat Quinn has made juvenile justice advocates happy by signing one of their bills. Beginning next year, 17-year-olds charged with misdemeanors will be tried only in juvenile court thanks to the Illinois governor signing a bill into law to keep those teens out of adult court.

Betsy Clarke, president of the Juvenile Justice Initiative, says teenagers who commit low level crimes like trespassing, or shoplifting, don't keep otherwise good kids from going to college or getting a job.

Clarke says 17-year-olds charged with misdemeanors shouldn't be tried in adult court, because their brains aren't fully developed and they shouldn't be held to the same standards as adults. "It brings us into step with 38 other states," Clarke said. "By far, across the country, 18 is regarded as the appropriate cutoff for juvenile court."

The new law also sets up a task force to look into whether the state should keep 17-year-olds charged with felonies in juvenile court too. Clarke says it's a big step and she's pushing several measures to help give teens a second chance. She says the governor's signature on this bill is really huge.

Another measure awaiting the governor's action would make Redeploy Illinois a permanent program, plus expanding the program so more youth can try rehabilitation instead of prison.
03 06 09 by Newsroom
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