DETROIT – The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan (ACLU) commends the Michigan legislature and Governor Whitmer for passing Raise the Age legislation, which raises the age a person is considered an adult from 17 to 18, when charged with a crime. The new law makes Michigan the 47th state to end the practice of charging and punishing children as adults.
Dave Noble, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan, has this reaction:
“For too long we have treated children as adults and the result has been disastrous. The studies show that minors serving time in adult prisons are five times more likely to be sexually assaulted and 36 times more likely to die by suicide. Children should not have to face the same legal consequences as adults and raising the age is the right step in protecting them. We are grateful that Michigan lawmakers and Governor Whitmer are working to reform our criminal legal system.”