Missouri lawmakers consider change to trying 17-year-olds as adults

(KY3)
Published: Mar. 18, 2018 at 9:42 PM CDT
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A bill in the state legislature promises to save kids, save money, and make the state safer. It would change the way teens are prosecuted in the state.

Right now, Missouri is one of just five states that currently tries 17-year-olds in adult courts. But, the senate voted unanimously to send Senate Bill 793 to the house. This would increase the age people are automatically tried as adults from 17 to 18.

"We're on our way to joining the other 45 states that have also raised the age to 18." Bill sponsor, Sen. Wayne Wallingford (R-Cape Girardeau), says when a child goes into the adult criminal justice system, their parents are no longer involved. He says, that's when the child needs their parents the most, "Our purpose in sponsoring Senate Bill 793, was to make sure that we put youth in the juvenile justice system, rather than the criminal justice system."

A similar proposal was approved by the house last year, but never made it through the Senate. Some senators were worried the change could be seen as "soft on crime." But, they changed their mind this year because in this bill, juveniles could still be tried as adults for serious crimes like murder or rape. Wallingford also argues this could save the state money by lowering adult prison populations, but also improving the possibility young offenders are rehabilitated and never put in adult prisons, "The three main goals I had were to save our youth, and then also to make Missouri safer, and save taxpayer dollars. This bill does all three."

Researchers say, by 2027, when it would be fully implemented, this could cost the state about $10 million a year. But, that would be partly offset by a new $3.50 fee on civil suits in Missouri. So, social services says they're not sure how much this will cost, or save.

There is a similar bill from the house side. But, that bill's sponsor said he'd support the Senate bill. No word if the Governor would sign either bill.