December 15, 2009

Children's advocates are disappointed that the Virginia State Crime Commission is taking another year to study the transfer of juvenile offenders to the adult justice system.

"We're fully confident that the evidence supports what we're asking for, which is bringing more fairness to the system, making sure that we only use this when it's absolutely necessary, and not for kids who would be better served elsewhere," said Andrew Block, of the Legal Age Justice Center.

The commission, which has studied the issue for three years, said Tuesday that it still needs more information. State Del. David Albo said that without more research, proposals to revamp the system have no chance of passing.

Lianne Rozzell says there's also no chance children's advocates will quit fighting for change. Rozzell is executive director of Families and Allies of Virginia's Youth.

Advocates say reforms passed in the mid-1990s give prosecutors too much authority to try juveniles as adults. They say this puts juveniles at risk of assault in jail, increases their chances of re-offending, and disproportionately affects blacks.