A growing group of Republicans and Democrats in the state Legislature says it’s time to stop charging 17-year-old criminal suspects as adults.
Republican state Senator Peter Lucido says Michigan is one of a handful of states that still automatically charges 17-year-olds as adults. He says that doesn’t serve the public or minors who can rehabilitated.
“Let’s talk about the real, the real deal. It’s those children we need to make sure that we make them productive members of society, that we give them the fighting chance that they deserve.”
Democratic state Senator Sylvia Santana says 17-year-olds can usually be rehabilitated if they are treated as juveniles.
“We cannot in this state of Michigan, continue to lock up 17-year-olds with adults.”
Lucido says prosecutors could still seek adult sentences for minors charged with violent crimes.