By Will Barclay
The abject failure of New York’s criminal justice reform has been evident for years. For example, “Raise the Age,” which calls for many cases involving 16- and 17-year-old Adolescent Offenders (AOs) to be heard in family court rather than criminal court, has done nothing to make New Yorkers safer, much like other failed “progressive” policies such as the near elimination of bail and solitary confinement in state prisons.
One look at New York City clearly demonstrates how dangerous and ineffective this policy is. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the number of young shooters has nearly doubled since the law was changed and the number of children victimized by shootings is up 83%. However, this problem is far from a downstate-specific issue. In Albany, one incident involved 10 young people being shot, one fatally, and buildings were set on fire on the Fourth of July. Statistics indicate an overall increase in violent crime committed by 16- and 17-year-old offenders across the state, while convictions plummeted.
Prior to Raise the Age, in 2017, nearly 60%, or 4,000, AOs charged with serious crimes were convicted in adult criminal court, and more than 1,000 received a prison or jail sentence. In 2024, however, less than 10%, or 418 AOs charged with a felony received a felony conviction, with less than 5% placed in an Office of Children and Family Services facility for more than a year.
“The data is telling us, over the past five years, a very clear, stark story. We need to listen to that data,” said Tisch. The Assembly Minority Conference has been listening. We have been tracking this data for years, and we have continued to call for criminal accountability, fair and appropriate judicial discretion and meaningful reforms to criminal justice legislation that respects the rights of all New Yorkers, especially the victims of violent crime.
As such, it’s no surprise district attorneys, law enforcement agents, victims’ advocates and lawmakers from every corner of New York have been persistent in their calls for change. With major changes coming in 2026 — New York City’s socialist experiment will undoubtedly create new challenges for residents and state lawmakers — it’s critical we continue to push this fight forward.
I have introduced legislation (A.4705) to prevent AOs who commit serious felonies from escaping criminal liability by being shielded by family court, where records are sealed. The reason for this legislation is simple: These young men and women know what they are doing is wrong. The gang leaders who recruit them to do their bidding while shielded by this law know what they are doing is wrong. We must hold them accountable.
The Assembly Minority Conference will always advocate for the victims of crime. I look forward to working with my partners and colleagues in the Assembly and Senate in the upcoming session to hold perpetrators accountable and restore common sense to our criminal justice system. Raise the Age simply did not work, and it’s long past time to move on from this failed policy.
Will Barclay, (R,C,I-Pulaski) is the Assembly Minority Leader.