Teens Caught With Guns Should Face Adult Charges, Dutchess County Senator Urges Hochul

By Michael Mashburn From Daily Voice

A Hudson Valley lawmaker is urging Gov. Kathy Hochul to tighten New York’s “Raise the Age” law by giving judges more power to move repeat youth offenders — including those caught with firearms — into adult court.

In a letter sent this week, State Sen. Rob Rolison, a Republican representing the 39th District in the Hudson Valley, called on the governor to include changes to Raise the Age in her upcoming executive budget.

Enacted in 2019, the law raised the age of adult criminal prosecution to 18, with most cases involving younger teens automatically handled in Family Court. Proponents argued it focuses on rehabilitation and avoids the long-term consequences of an adult criminal record.

But Rolison said the current system leaves judges with limited flexibility when dealing with teens accused of repeated or serious offenses. In his letter, he asked for expanded judicial discretion to keep certain cases out of Family Court, noting the shift would not apply to first-time offenders.

He argued that firearm-related offenses should be eligible for adult prosecution, noting he recently introduced Senate Bill S8531 to make those changes. The bill would require adult court for juvenile offenders previously arrested for a felony that was moved to Family Court and for those who commit two separate misdemeanors unless mitigating factors exist.

It also expands offenses eligible for adult court to include using or possessing a firearm.

Rolison maintains reforms are overdue, writing on Facebook that youth crime “has risen sharply since 2018” and that his proposal would “make our streets safer while still supporting young people.”

“It’s far past time to fix the system,” he said.

What Do You Think? Should judges have the power to move repeat youth offenders — including those caught with firearms — into adult court? Sound off in our poll above.