PEORIA ( 25News Now ) - If it seems like more young people are involved in Peoria violence, that’s because they are; the ages of these defendants are only getting younger in recent years.

Among the dramatic increase in crime numbers are kids who are not even in high school yet.

“If a violent juvenile offender comes across my desk, we’ve already failed as a society,” said Peoria County State’s Attorney Jodi Hoos.

Hoos said juvenile violent crime is at the top of the area’s problems, but it’s similar in other parts of the state and country. A decade ago, it was rare for Hoos to prosecute a kid for murder.

“When I first started as a young assistant state’s attorney back in 2000, so 25 years ago now, our shooters were in their 20s,” said Hoos. “Even 25-30 range. Now, most of ours are und

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