Adolescent Offenders

Recent legislation called “Raise the Age” changed the NYS Law such that now youths between the ages of 16 and 17 who are charged with felony crimes are treated as Adolescent Offenders (AO) rather than adults. AO cases start out in what is known as Youth Part and are heard by a Family Court Judge. Many of the cases are ultimately transferred to Family Court where the youth will be treated as a Juvenile Delinquent(JD). As a JD the youth’s criminal record will be sealed. Adolescent Offenders that stay in Youth Part are treated as adults, but at sentencing the Judge will consider the age of the youth in determining an appropriate sentence. Additionally, AOs have access to intervention services and programs.