Gov. Kathy Hochul has made a strategic decision not to engage in a battle with the far-left faction of the Democratic Party by choosing not to amend the controversial Raise the Age law. This law prevents criminal 16 and 17-year-olds from being tried as adults and was signed into law by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in 2017. Despite calls for reform from critics, including NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, Hochul has decided not to propose any changes to the law in her upcoming executive budget.
The Raise the Age law directs 16 and 17-year-old offenders to have their cases typically heard by family court judges, even for serious felonies such as murder. Critics argue that this has led to a surge in violent crimes committed by teens, despite overall drops in violent crime rates in New York City. Hochul had previously expressed willingness to consider reforming the law but has since remained silent on the issue.
The governor’s decision comes at a crucial time as she faces a primary challenge from far-left Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado. Lawmakers endorsing Delgado and over 200 criminal justice groups have already formed a coalition to defend the Raise the Age law, posing a significant obstacle for any attempts to roll back the legislation.
Hochul’s decision not to amend the Raise the Age law highlights the delicate balancing act she faces in navigating the demands of different factions within the Democratic Party. As she prepares for re-election this year, her stance on criminal justice issues will likely be a key point of contention in the upcoming campaign.
