In 2019, the General Assembly passed the Raise the Age Act, which mandated that nearly all criminal cases involving defendants under age 18 start in juvenile court. House Bill 834, which was passed by the North Carolina General Assembly this session, rolls back those protections for minors, requiring 16- and 17-year-olds who are charged with A-E class felonies to go straight to adult court. This bill only brings more harm to young people in North Carolina, and negatively affects an already vulnerable group. This bill does not make our communities safer or address the root causes of youth criminal activity. Instead, it only serves to further harm already vulnerable young people.
Governor Cooper vetoed the bill: “I remain concerned that this new law would keep some children from getting treatment they need while making communities less safe.” However, the General Assembly override his veto on June 27. This legislation will go into effect December 1, 2024.
