About Us
Learn about RTA
The Raise the Age Coalition includes organizations from across New York, people with lived experience, child advocates, service providers, faith leaders, legal services groups, and unions. Together, they helped pass the Raise the Age law to end the practice of automatically charging all 16- and 17-year-olds as adults.
The moment was due in large part to the advocacy of formerly-incarcerated youth, their families, faith leaders, legal services professionals, direct service providers, unions, and others who made their voices heard over many years. We applaud Governor Cuomo, Assembly Speaker Heastie and members of the Assembly, the Senate Majority, Minority and Independent Democratic Caucus, and the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Caucus for passing this historic legislation.
Today, we stand with allies from across the state who are moving youth justice forward. To achieve the best outcomes for adolescents and young adults, and to continue to promote genuine community safety for all New Yorkers, we must embrace a broad vision for youth justice.
The Campaign's Impact
The law made several major changes to the way New York State treats young people. As of October 1, 2019:
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16- and 17-year-olds are no longer housed in adult jails
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When 16- and 17-year-olds are arrested, their parents must be notified
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When police question a 16- or 17-year-old, it must take place in an age-appropriate setting with parental involvement and for a limited period of time
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All 16- and 17-year-olds charged with a misdemeanor (other than vehicular and traffic misdemeanors) now have their cases heard in the Family Court instead of the adult Criminal Court. In Family Court, their cases can be “adjusted”—resolved without the need to file a case
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16- and 17-year-olds charged with a misdemeanor in Family Court will not be exposed to a permanent criminal record
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16- and 17-year-olds charged with a felony now have their cases heard first in the new Youth Part of adult Criminal Court. Most felonies will transfer to the Family Court, where they may be adjusted and kept from entry on a permanent criminal record, unless the court finds “extraordinary circumstances.”
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16- and 17-year-olds charged with allegedly displaying a deadly weapon, causing “significant injury,” or engaging in unlawful sexual conduct, will remain in the Youth Part of adult Criminal Court, unless the prosecutor consents to remove the case to Family Court
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16- and 17-year-olds in the Youth Part of adult Criminal Court are now placed before a judge trained in adolescent development and family law
Join the Coalition
If you believe your organization would be a good fit for the campaign, we want to hear from you.