Raising The Age Of Criminal Responsibility In Georgia

Authors

Nila Bala

Former Associate Director, Criminal Justice & Civil Liberties; Resident Senior Fellow

Marc Hyden

Director, State Government Affairs

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Background

Under current Georgia law, minors cannot vote, buy a lottery ticket or even open a checking account. Indeed, 17-year-olds are treated as children in almost every way—except in the Georgia justice system, which is one of only three states, including Texas and Wisconsin, that automatically prosecutes all 17-year-olds as adults. The results of this policy have been devastating, as they undermine public safety and increase taxpayer burden. However, lawmakers have an opportunity to raise the adult age of criminal responsibility to 18, and research suggests there are many good reasons for doing so.