 Crimes With Guns Put More Juveniles
In Adult CourtIn 1994 the Kentucky Legislature responded to a frightened public. That fear was caused by what the public saw as an increasing number of armed and dangerous juveniles who not only possessed guns, but were willing to use them, and a juvenile code which kept the identity of these dangerous young felons from the law-abiding public. The new law essentially requires that any juvenile, age 14 or older who uses a firearm while committing a felony, will be tried as an adult in circuit court. Prior to the passage of this law juveniles who were charged with felonies and were armed at the time were kept in juvenile court where their name and disposition of the charges were kept secret. No longer. Now juveniles charged under the 1994 law are sent to circuit court where the public can know the identity of these defendants. And, according to The Louisville Courier-Journal, ". . . if convicted, young people are also more likely to spend more time in confinement." This law clearly reflects an interest by the Legislature in protecting the right of law-abiding citizens to be free of the tyranny of armed and dangerous juveniles. No longer will they be able to commit serious crimes anonymously. The public has a right to know who the dangerous juveniles are and that they will be protected from them. This 1994 law is a real step in the right direction. |
