In Fort Collins and Larimer County, Colorado any child 10 years old or older can be charged with a criminal offense. However, lawmakers are considering whether a change to the minimum age is necessary and/or prudent. The current argument is that the minimum age a child should be charged with a crime should be raised to 13 years old. Considering most 10-, 11-, and 12-year-olds are still in elementary or early middle school, it can be argued that they are too young to truly understand the consequences of their actions and shouldn’t start their lives a step behind for what is generally ‘normal’ kid behavior.
Juvenile Defense Lawyer in Larimer County: Pre-Adolescent Task Force to Make Determinations
While some believe that a simple change to the minimum age requirement for any juvenile Colorado criminal case should just be implemented, others feel that more information is needed before a determination is made. This resulted in the suggestion that a task force be created to study the implications and effects changing the minimum age would have. This task force will look at the services the juvenile justice system provides and any gaps that raising the minimum age could create. They are also looking for ways to address those gaps, should the law change and the minimum age for criminally charging a child raises to 13. The task force has been named the Pre-Adolescent Services Task Force and is under the Department of Human Services. There will be at least 32 members who will be appointed based on their expertise working with youth, the criminal justice, or both.
Surprise – DA’s Don’t Want to Change the Minimum Age for Charging a Child in Colorado
Of course, there was much opposition to this. The District Attorneys’ Council argued against both raising the minimum age and creating the task force. They made it a point to cite to the over 1,400 kids ages 10 to 12 who were convicted of felony sex offenses over the last ten years. They didn’t like the idea of DHS getting involved and overseeing the task force. Their idea being that the Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice should be the one to review the policies and determine the issues surrounding changing the minimum age. It is our hope that this task force will be able to see that it is not in the best interest of children nor is it true justice to criminally charge a 10-, 11- or 12-year-old with a crime. There are much better ways to address behavior and help guide kids down the right path that don’t involve a court system.
If your child has been charged with a crime in Fort Collins, Loveland, or Estes Park, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best juvenile criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-658-0007 to schedule a free initial consultation. Together, we can protect your future.
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