A Michigan state representative is working to change a law that deals with juveniles that commit crimes.
The House Judiciary Committee heard testimony on legislation that would allow juvenile offenders over the age of 16 to be transported by police with an adult co-offender. Bill sponsor Representative Mike Mueller says changing the law will help rural communities where officers are sometimes waiting nearly an hour for an assist.
“I worked in Livingston County and I might be the only car in 30 miles and I pull over,” Mueller said. “Now that we raised the age, now you have 17-year-olds that are juveniles. You might pull someone over in the northern part of the county, you have a 17 year old that has a gun in the car and a 21 year old who’s drunk. Well, you pull them over, they’re both going to be under arrest, but the law says you have to separate juveniles from adults.”
The Michigan Fraternal Order of Police submitted written testimony in support of the legislation, saying it will save time, manpower, and put less of a burden on already stretched-thin departments.
