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Lawmakers Brief: Georgia House Passes Bill Moving 17-Year-Olds Into Juvenile Court
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The Georgia House has passed legislation which moves many criminal cases for 17-year-olds from superior court to juvenile court.
House Bill 272 (https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/59281) sponsor State Representative Mandi Ballinger (R-Canton) says 17-year-olds involved in major crimes such as murder and rape would still go to superior court. That includes gang-related crimes as well.
Speaking on the House floor Monday, Ballinger said the “Raise the Age Act” does not let 17-year-olds “off," but puts them in a more rehabilitative process in the juvenile system.
Georgia is one of three states that treats all 17-year-olds as adults in criminal cases. The others are Texas and Wisconsin, according to advocacy group Voices for Georgia’s Children.
HB 272 passed the Georgia House on Monday by a vote of 113-51. The bill is now in the Georgia Senate.
On Tuesday, House Bill 272 was assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee.