Automatic transfer of kids accused of some gun crimes to adult court has cleared both chambers
Republished from Kentucky Lantern
More Kentucky juveniles would be tried as adults under a bill that has now been approved by both chambers of the legislature.
‘Victims before perpetrators:’ Senate passes bill to try certain juveniles as adults
The House on Tuesday approved Senate Bill 20 which mandates that juveniles 15 or older would be transferred to circuit court for trial as an adult if they are alleged to have used a firearm while committing a Class A, B or C felony.
Democratic Rep. Lindsey Burke of Lexington opposed the bill, saying it would rush kids in the “school to prison pipeline” to the “finish line.”
Burke and Rep. Keturah Herron noted that the bill reverses a change the legislature made just three years giving juvenile judges discretion to decide whether to transfer a gun case to adult court.
Rep. Patrick Flannery, R-Olive Hill, who introduced the measure in the House, said SB 20 is aimed at “very violent criminals.” It is sponsored by Sen. Matthew Deneen, R-Elizabethtown.
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