An Initial Examination of “Raise the Age” Legislation on Juvenile Justice Services in Michigan

• In Event: Contemporary Reform and Policy Issues in Juvenile Justice

Abstract

In 2019 the governor of Michigan passed “Raise the Age” legislation which raised the age of who is considered an adult under the criminal justice system from 17 to 18 years old; going into effect in fall 2021. Prior to the passage of this legislation, Michigan was one of only four states which set the age of an adult lower than 18 years of age. The juvenile justice system operates under a different philosophy than the adult system, placing a greater emphasis on rehabilitation than punishment. Prior research highlights the advantages of this approach in comparison to the criminal justice system. Given this recent policy change, inclusion of 17-year-olds in the juvenile justice system has direct implications for the administration of youth services and offers an opportunity to examine racial/ethnic disparities in processing. Following the action research model, the current study examines the processing of 17-year-olds in the juvenile justice system; this includes a focus on racial/ethnic disparities. Study data were obtained from youth processed in juvenile court in one county in Michigan from 2019 – 2022. Findings provide an overview of demographics, charges, and placement information. Results are discussed in the context of justice system processing and racial equity.

Authors

• Julie M. Krupa, Michigan State University

• Paul Elam, Michigan Public Health Institute