The Legislature held key votes today on bills that would make various changes to the state’s criminal justice system.
One bill package would raise the age for when a person is automatically considered an adult for certain crimes from 17 to 18.
Democratic Senator Sylvia Santana is a bill sponsor. She says Republicans and Democrats have been working hard on the so-called “Raise the Age” legislation for more than five years.
“We want to make sure our kids are not hindered because they’ve made poor decisions in their youth.”
The Senate passed those bills – they now go to the state House.
And the House passed legislation supporters say will improve the state’s civil asset forfeiture laws. The bill would require a criminal conviction before the state can keep someone’s property in certain cases.