Looks like the concept of “extended adolescence” might eventually reach our nation’s criminal justice system.
Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy proposed legislation Wednesday that would reclassify criminal defendants aged 18 to 20 as juveniles. Under such a proposal, an individual in Connecticut could serve on a jury, vote in state and local elections, enter a contract, and join the military while still being tried as a minor for certain criminal offenses.
The reasoning for this change rests on scientific research concluding that the human brain has not completely developed until a person is well into his 20s or even 30s.
In order to facilitate this change, Malloy’s bill creates a category for 18-20-year-old defendants called “young adults.” If criminals fall into this category, their jail time would be limited to a maximum of four years. Connecticut would be the first state in the country with such a policy.
“We know for a fact that the longer we keep young people out of the adult criminal justice system, the less likely they are to commit crimes and become incarcerated as adults,” Malloy said.
Approximately 10,000 individuals would be taken off Connecticut’s adult court dockets by July 2020. While those accused of murder and other Class A felonies would not qualify, those charged with crimes like first-degree manslaughter or first-degree burglary could still be tried in juvenile court.
The bill would also ensure that criminals within this category be housed in their own facility. At the conclusion of their sentence, the individual’s criminal record would be wiped clean.
Up until 2007, Connecticut tried 16-year-olds as adults. After the change, only New York and North Carolina retain this policy.
Connecticut is not alone with this approach to criminal-justice reform. Massachusetts, Illinois, and Vermont are all considering similar legislation.