Getting Ready for Raise the Age Implementation

North Carolina now sits ten months away from implementation of the Juvenile Justice Reinvestment Act (JJRA), widely referred to as “Raise the Age.” I had the opportunity to attend a summit hosted by Justice Initiatives in Charlotte last week focused on readiness for raise the age implementation. The recent report from the Juvenile Jurisdiction Advisory Committee (JJAC) is full of information about what still needs to be done for optimal implementation. The recommendations contain two major themes: provide legislative fixes to avoid unintended consequences and fully fund the new system. The JJAC The JJRA created the JJAC to “develop a specific plan for the implementation of any changes in the juvenile justice system that would be required in order to extend jurisdiction in delinquency matters and proceedings to include 16- and 17-year-old persons within the juvenile justice system.” S.L. 2017-57, §16D.4(pp). As the JJRA takes effect the JJAC is charged with the ongoing obligation to “monitor and review the implementation of the expansion and shall make additional recommendations to the General Assembly as necessary.” S.L. 2017-57, §16D.4(pp). Comprised of 21 members who represent a wide range of state agencies, juvenile prosecutors and defense counsel, the judiciary, law enforcement, court counselors, and advocates for both juveniles and victims, the JJAC meets regularly to carry out this statutory duty. On January 15, 2019 the JJAC issued its required annual interim report to the legislature. The report contains several recommendations and fiscal details along with suggestions for three significant legislative changes to alter the [...]