House Committee Debates Raising Age of Adults in Court to 18
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House Committee Debates Raising Age of Adults in Court to 18

Date: February 28, 2017
By: Jack Morrisroe
State Capitol Bureau
Links: HB 274, HB 430

Intro: 
Seventeen year-old Missourians can be taken to jail as an adult. Representatives have taken the first step to raise that age.
RunTime: 0:38
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: The measures would require seventeen-year-old offenders to be held in juvenile facilities and allow them to be tried as a minor.

Joshua Perry of the Raise the Age Missouri Coalition said juvenile offenders are less likely to commit another crime than adults and need supervision.

Actuality:  PERRY.WAV
Run Time: 00:08
Description: It allows and engages parents in the crisis moments of their vulnerable children.

Opponents said sex offenders and violent criminals at that age need to be punished.

Seventeen-year-olds would recieve confidentiality, but could still be tried as an adult.

Reporting from the state Captiol, I'm Jack Morrisroe.

Intro: 
A House measure would raise the age of adulthood for Missouri courts to eighteen.
RunTime: 0:29
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Two measures in the House Judiciary Committee would allow seventeen-year-olds to be tried as a minor and require they be held in juvenile facilities.

Cole County Prosecuting Attorney Mark Richardson said lowering the age that violent offenders can be tried as an adult would harm Missouri communities.

Supporters said if seventeen-year-olds cannot buy cigarettes or vote, then the state should be consistent with the court age of adulthood.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Jack Morrisroe.