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New Hampshire Raises the Age of Majority in Juveniles/Criminal Statutes

NCJ Number
197275
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 64 Issue: 6 Dated: October 2002 Pages: 82-84
Author(s)
Joseph Diament
Editor(s)
Susan L. Clayton M.S.
Date Published
October 2002
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article presents arguments, through a literature review, for and against the raising of the age at which juveniles can be tried as adults and the implications on public policy and the reasons behind why the State of New Hampshire was unsuccessful in its efforts to raise the age of majority to age 18.
Abstract
In 1995, New Hampshire, a conservative, traditional State, lowered it age of majority, or the age at which a juvenile can be tried as an adult, to age 17. Recent proposed legislation attempted and failed to reverse this and raise the age back to age 18. However, compromise legislation was passed allowing youths in the care and custody of the Division for Juvenile Justice Services to remain in custody until they turned 18. The original reduction of the age of majority for criminal justice purposes was precipitated by a combination of factors, such as a belief on the part of some that this will yield better long-term results and a political posturing to appear tough on crime. This article presented a review of national literature comparing the processing of juveniles through the adult and juvenile justice systems. A review of previous research determined that keeping young people in the juvenile system was the most effective policy and that juveniles transferred to adult courts were more likely to recidivate than those maintained in the juvenile system. So why was New Hampshire’s attempt to reverse the age of majority unsuccessful? Opposition to this legislation was led by the Association of Chiefs of Police, a former legislative leader, and prosecutors. The current age reduction was seen as reducing the overall crime rate. Two reasons provided for the opposition and resistance in raising the age of majority back to age 18 were: (1) the supervisory requirements when police have a juvenile in custody and (2) the frustration with the process of certifying certain juveniles as adults. There is a reluctance to rely on the juvenile justice system because it lacks the resources to accomplish its mission. New Hampshire is viewed as being on the cutting edge of enlightened policy and practice in juvenile corrections.