Raise the Age: Modifications and Training Opportunities

Session Law 2019-186, enacted on August 1, 2019, put the finishing touches on the new law that will raise the age of juvenile court jurisdiction in North Carolina beginning on December 1, 2019. The modifications include clarification on which offense will remain outside of juvenile court jurisdiction, an expanded timeline for probable cause hearings in some instances, and a new option to remand some cases that have been transferred to superior court back to district court for juvenile processing. If you are feeling a bit overwhelmed or confused by raise the age, fear not. A raise the age workshop is coming to an area near you this fall. Stick with me to the end of this blog and you will find links to get to the registration page. Offenses that will NOT be included in juvenile jurisdiction Motor vehicle offenses committed at age 16 and 17 The recent legislation clarified that the original exclusion of all motor vehicle offenses alleged to have been committed by youth at age 16 and 17 from juvenile jurisdiction includes any offense under Chapter 20 of the General Statutes. Motor vehicle offenses committed by youth at ages 6 through 15 remain under juvenile court jurisdiction, just as they are now. This motor vehicle carve-out for 16- and 17-year-olds means that the criminal process found in Chapter 15A of the General Statutes must be followed for any Chapter 20 offense charges. Any misdemeanor or infraction can be handled by law enforcement through the issuance of a citation. [...]