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StumblePublished Thursday, April 2, 2009 | 3:19 p.m.
Updated Thursday, April 2, 2009 | 3:22 p.m.
Juvenile justice advocates are applauding what they see as a step forward by the Nevada Legislature, which is considering a bill that would raise the threshold age from 14 to 16 to certify a minor as an adult for criminal proceedings. But, as is too often the tradition in the Legislature, lawmakers are considering a counterproductive (and cost-saving) measure to close half the beds at the valley's only facility for more violent juvenile offenders.
That's right - keep more youths in the juvenile system but with fewer beds. While I tend to believe most children can be rehabilitated given the right guidance, it's easy to understand the frustration of prosecutors such as Teresa Lowry, the Assistant Deputy District Attorney for the Juvenile Division, who knows the state lacks the institutions it needs to rehabilitate youths whose offenses warrant longer stays than the three-, six- or nine-month programs Southern Nevada facilities have to offer.
But is a lack of juvenile detention and treatment resources any reason to toss potentially rehabilitatable kids into the adult system, where they will languish until their eventual release? Tune in to hear compelling arguments from Lowry and her counterpart from the Public Defenders' Office, Susan Roske.
Lets put it these way, any 14 year old that finds themselfs in adult court probable belongs in adult court, And most of them are gang members anyway. 9 out of 10 can,t be rehabilitated and will end up back in prison as and adult someday. ONCE AGAIN MORE WISHFUL THINKING FROM LIBERALS.