Davis advocates for Juvenile Reinvestment Act

A local official stands behind state efforts to up the age for juveniles to answer criminal charges in court from age 16 to 18 except for certain felonies.

Earlier this month, Warren County Commis-sioner Tare "T" Davis asked citizens to contact their state legislators to express support of Juvenile Reinvestment Act bills in the state House and Senate. He made the request during the county commissioners' monthly meeting.

Davis chairs the Justice and Public Safety Steering Committee for the N.C. Association of County Commissioners. During the association's annual legislative conference in January, he said that he advocated for the change in law and was able to successfully lobby other county commissioners to vote for the legislation to be one of the top five priority goals for North Carolina counties.

"It's a second chance for our children. That's why I'm so passionate about it," Davis said. Being in law enforcement helped him explain the reasons why a change in the law was a good idea, the commissioner said. Davis works for the State Highway Patrol and said he was able to convince others to join the cause by talking about facts, including that low level crimes committed in youth can follow older teens the rest of their lives.

"When 16- and 17-year-olds find themselves criminally charged with a misdemeanor, it affects their employment ? they get themselves together, go to college, maybe graduate with honors, start a new life and apply for employment," Davis said. "Their employment may be based on checking a (job application) box, 'what criminal charges have you had in the past.' There's an impact on society, especially in minority communities."

Davis noted that trying 16- and 17-year-olds as juveniles instead of adults is not designed to prevent crime, but instead offers children a second chance.

"This enables them to not be held accountable for the rest of their lives for something done at that young age," he said.

Davis said that overall, states save money with a higher juvenile age.

"It really pays back dramatically because you end up with active citizens," he said.

New York is the only other state in the U.S. that processes 16- and 17-year-olds in adult court, and is also considering legislation this year to increase the age to 18.

According to the UNC School of Government, most youthful offenders commit minor crimes. A School of Government report on the "Raise the Age" proposal states that in 2014, only 3.3 percent of youthful offenders were convicted of violent felonies; 80.4 percent were convicted of misdemeanors; and 16.3 percent were convicted of non-violent felonies.

The report also states that rehabilitating young offenders in juvenile court "results in lower recidivism, less crime and increased public safety."

In 2011, the Youth Accountability Task Force reported the net economic benefit to the state would be $52.3 million if the age of juvenile prosecution were increased due to lower recidivism.

Groups that have indicated support for raising the juvenile age include the N.C. Sheriffs' Association, N.C. Police Benevolent Association, Conservatives for Criminal Justice Reform, N.C. Magistrates Association among others.

"As elected officials, we advocate for the less fortunate," Davis said. "This impacts so many children and affects any culture of life. I hope this bill passes with funding."