Westchester Children's Association Panel: Youth Justice Beyond the Headlines: Five+ Years of Raise the Age

The Westchester Children's Association (WCA) hosted a panel discussion titled "Youth Justice Beyond the Headlines: Five+ Years of Raise the Age" on March 21, 2024. This event aimed to assess the successes and ongoing challenges of New York's Raise the Age (RTA) legislation, which reformed the treatment of 16- and 17-year-olds in the criminal justice system.

The panel featured key stakeholders in the youth justice system, including representatives from the Legal Aid Society of Westchester, Westchester County Family Court, New Rochelle Opportunity Youth Part, Westchester County Attorney’s Office, Mount Vernon Police Department, Westchester County Department of Probation, and the Mount Vernon Court System. Discussions focused on the effectiveness of rehabilitation over incarceration, highlighting that approximately 90% of Westchester youth charged with felonies had their cases moved to Family Court or Probation as Juvenile Delinquency cases. The panel also addressed the need for continued collaboration among community-based organizations to support reintegration efforts.

The event provided opportunities for networking among professionals and community members interested in youth justice reform. Notable speakers included Commissioner Rocco Pozzi of the Westchester County Department of Probation and Judge Lyndon Williams of the Mount Vernon Court System, who emphasized the importance of community collaboration in the successful implementation of RTA.

This panel was particularly relevant for legal professionals, policymakers, educators, social workers, and community advocates involved in juvenile justice. Attendees gained valuable insights into the progress and challenges of RTA, as well as strategies for supporting youth rehabilitation and reintegration into society.