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Raise the Age:What it will mean for Orange County • Peggy Hamlett, Chief Court Counselor provided insight on the need to raise the age. Ms. Hamlett pointed out that crime across the state of North Carolina involving juveniles is down and especially in Orange County. Reportedly, North Carolina will no longer prosecute juveniles as adults beginning at age 16 for all offenses except violent felonies and motor vehicle offenses.The criminal age of responsibility has been raised to 18 as a result of the Juvenile Justice Reinvestment Act. Other changes address victims' rights, disclosure of information to law enforcement,juvenile records (law enforcement officers may not obtain copies of juvenile records and must maintain the confidentiality of any information received) and juvenile gang activity.The age increase is not effective until December 1, 2019, however. Ms. Hamlet maintained that raise the age will improve public safety, produce economic benefit and increase employability.Judge Buckner added that employment for latter years will be positively impacted. Other benefits include parental engagement, court ordered professional treatment and intervention have been supported by science in reducing juvenile crime than incarcerating juveniles in adult facilities. • Steve Stadler concluded with sharing information on what is the law and what is required.The pointed out that there is now a new definition of juvenile.A"delinquent juvenile," as defined by G.S. 7B-1501(7),will include 16 and 17-year-olds who commit crimes or infractions, "excluding violation of the motor vehicle laws," or indirect contempt by a juvenile. He reviewed some exclusion to this new law regarding"raise the age":those 18 and older; once a juvenile has been convicted of any offense in either district or superior court, "including a violation of the motor vehicle laws,"the juvenile must be prosecuted as an adult for all subsequent offenses and teens who already have an adult conviction when raise the age becomes effective will not be included.The juvenile court's jurisdiction will continue to age 19 for offenses committed by 16-year-olds, and to age 20 for offenses committed by 17-year-olds, unless terminated earlier by the court. Mr. Sadler pointed out that the District Court Judge has to make a decision as to whether a case will be binding over to adult court.The new change also provides for greater protection for victims.A letter is sent to victims indicating the courts' decision and notice that the decision can be appealed. Law enforcement must be more specific with request of information.They can't be fishing. Information must be specific to that juvenile's case—not try to determine if there is a history. He conveyed that how to house youth in the appropriate facility and transporting was part of the change. Once the youth turns 18, he has to go to jail and cannot be house with youth. The School Justice Partnership Model • Judge Buckner, Chief District Court, briefly shared his history with Juvenile Court in 1995 receiving assistance from Peggy Hamlet and Donnie Phillips who was Chief Court Counselor at the time. Chatham, Orange, and Chapel Hill-Carrboro school systems were part of a grant written to create a working relationship with DJJ to help eliminate some of the school's frustration with the judicial system.The New Hanover County model was used.The main goal is the School Justice Partnership is to keep kids in school and out of the courts and to minimize suspensions, expulsions and school based referrals to courts.Judge Buckner stated that in the inception of Truancy Court it was learned that if the behavior started in elementary by the time they are in middle and high school there is an excellent change the behavior has increased. Sixty percent of individuals in jail have no high school education. We are doing a good job now but need to do a better job in five years. Early intervention is the key. • Raquelle Hawkins,Juvenile Court School Liaison, shared that her position offers support to children already involved in court. Interventions include holding monthly meeting with school and community partners to access student needs where all stakeholders are able to review what is going on with the child; develop service plans and goals for the student as well as the parents and to provide liaison communication between the court and school.They are also attempting to get students to take responsibility for their actions. Ms. Hawkins gave examples of success stories resulting from youth and families in Truancy Court. Commissioner Jacobs stated that the examples provided brought the program to life. He suggested the importance of educating the public and the advantage we have in Orange County is partnership. Commissioner Jacobs thank everyone and adjourned the meeting at 4:30 pm. 2