To: North Carolina Governor North Carolina State Senate North Carolina State House I recently learned that

North Carolina is one of two states in the entire nation that automatically prosecutes all 16- and 17-year-olds accused of a crime in the adult criminal justice system, with no exceptions or waivers. A legislative Task Force studied the issue for almost two years and, in January 2011, recommended that this outdated law be changed so that youth accused of low-level crimes... I recently learned that North Carolina is one of two states in the entire nation that automatically prosecutes all 16- and 17-year-olds accused of a crime in the adult criminal justice system, with no exceptions or waivers. A legislative Task Force studied the issue for almost two years and, in January 2011, recommended that this outdated law be changed so that youth accused of low-level crimes are handled in the juvenile system. Evidence shows that youth who go through the adult system are more likely to commit more crime down the road, as permanent adult criminal records limit their opportunities. Handling youth who commit minor crimes in the juvenile system improves public safety and eliminates unnecessary roadblocks to life success in the path of youth who are rehabilitated. Of the thousands of minors processed in North Carolinas adult system, 80% are accused of minor crimes. The Youth Accountability Planning Task Force recommended that the age be raised to 18 for those youth accused of low-level crimes. In 2012, the Age of Juvenile Offenders Committee also recommended that the General Assembly consider legislation to raise the age for youth who commit misdemeanors. Under the Task Force's recommendation and the future legislation, youth who commit serious felonies would continue to be handled in the adult system. For more information about the Youth Accountability Task Force, visit http://www.ncdjjdp.org. For more information about the Age of Juvenile Offenders Committee, visit http://www.ncleg.net. Should doing something silly--but definitely wrong--like stealing a bag of Doritos from a lunch line or Gatorade from a snack stand limit our youths potential for the rest of their lives and increase their chances of becoming career criminals? Both are real examples and both do not represent how I want my tax money spent. As your constituent, this issue is very important to me. By raising the age we will better protect our youth, protect our community and protect our tax dollars! There is a commitment to introduce a bill in 2013! I am writing to urge you to support raising the age for youth accused of minor crimes, and to thank you if you already do. The future of our state depends on how we treat our youth today! Raise the Age Statement of Principles WHEREAS:

1. Children are our most vital and valuable resource and investing in each of them is investing in our collective future; and 2. An adolescent mistake should not determine a childs outcome in life; and 3. Research should inform policy and practices; and 4. Current brain research demonstrates that adolescence is a developmental phase and youth do not have adults ability to make informed choices and plan for the long-term; and 5. Because of their still-developing brains, adolescents need guidance through the transition from childhood to adulthood; and 6. Community institutions like schools, the faith community and child and family-serving agencies should provide supports and guidance to parents; and 7. The adult criminal justice system is not structured to handle the developmental, educational or social needs of children; and 8. The juvenile justice system provides the developmentally-appropriate programs, services and punishments that can help parents nurture and guide young people as they grow into productive adult citizens; then We believe North Carolinas policy-makers, communities, advocates and government systems should work to: I. Keep children and youth out of the criminal justice system whenever possible by addressing their needs and those of their families early and effectively through prevention and intervention. II. Continue to build a juvenile justice system that offers age-appropriate treatment and services, therapy, education, job skills training and punishment and further enhance the system to support and promote evidence-based programs. III. Ensure that all youth under age 18 charged with a crime start in the juvenile justice system, are treated in an age-appropriate manner and are provided with developmentally appropriate, evidencedbased services and supports. Ensure that sanctions, when needed, are appropriate to a youths developmental stage. IV. Fully fund local Juvenile Crime Prevention Councils and the state Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to ensure the availability of evidence-based and developmentally appropriate programs and services. State & National Organizational Supporters

Action for Children North Carolina Action North Carolina Alamance County Dispute Settlement & Youth Services Alexander Youth Network American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) North Carolina Benchmarks, Inc. Campaign for Youth Justice Carolina Justice Policy Center Caught Before Fallen Charlotte Children's Alliance Children First/CIS of Buncombe County Children's Home Society of North Carolina Communities In Schools of North Carolina Connecticut Juvenile Justice Alliance Council for Children's Rights Covenant with North Carolina's Children Cumberland County CommuniCare Disability Rights North Carolina Eckerd Youth Alternatives, Inc. Emotions Organization Forsyth Futures Haven House, Inc. ILR, Inc. Jackson County Psychological Services, Inc. Leadership CONNECTIONS, Inc. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) North Carolina National Association of Social Workers (NASW) North Carolina National Juvenile Justice Network North Carolina NAACP North Carolina Advocates for Justice North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE) North Carolina Council of Churches North Carolina Families United North Carolina Foster and Adoptive Parent Association North Carolina Justice Center North Carolina Pediatric Society Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina Project Challenge, Inc. SAYSO, Inc. Southern Poverty Law Center Spirit House Inc. The Sentencing Project Thompson Child and Family Focus

United Way North Carolina Youth Empowered Solutions Sincerely, [Latasha Silver]