CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - New Hampshire’s House is voting soon on whether to treat 17-year-olds accused of crimes as juveniles instead of as adults.
The House is scheduled to vote this week whether to approve the change and send the bill to the Senate.
At least 40 other states and the federal government treat the youths as juveniles. New Hampshire lowered its age from 18 to 17 in 1996 and attempts to raise it have failed over the years.
Supporters argue the teens are still of an age when they can be rehabilitated.
Raising the age would mean that crimes committed by 17-year-olds no longer would become part of an adult criminal record. Prosecutors would retain the right to ask a judge to certify a 17-year-old as an adult for major crimes.
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