The Kentucky legislature passed a bill that aims to prosecute more teenagers for gun-related felony charges in adult courts, where they could face harsher penalties. The bill passed the House on a 68-19 vote and now returns to the Senate for final approval. This legislation is part of a broader effort by the Republican-dominated legislature to toughen penalties for various crimes. Under the bill, teenagers 15 years old and up charged with serious felony offenses and using a gun in the commission of the crime would be tried as adults in circuit court. The aim of the bill is to improve public safety by holding violent criminals accountable, regardless of their age.
The legislative action came as lawmakers addressed numerous bills before an extended break to give Governor Andy Beshear time to consider signing or vetoing them. The focus for lawmakers is now on passing the next two-year state budget. Under the proposed bill, young offenders would be held in a juvenile facility until they turn 18 after being convicted in circuit court. This marks a change from a policy enacted three years ago that ended the automatic transfer of youths from juvenile court to circuit court in certain cases. Judges now have to determine whether a transfer is appropriate based on evidence before sending a teenager to circuit court. The rollback of this policy has garnered both support and opposition in the legislature.
Republican state Rep. Patrick Flannery supported the bill, emphasizing the importance of holding violent offenders accountable regardless of their age. He highlighted that many teenagers committing gun-related offenses are causing serious harm to others and should face appropriate consequences. Democratic state Rep. Lindsey Burke, on the other hand, argued against the policy rollback, suggesting that more focus should be placed on rehabilitation rather than punishment for teenagers involved in criminal activities. The bill’s lead sponsor, Republican state Sen. Matthew Deneen, has defended the changes as necessary to ensure that punishment fits the crime for gun-related offenses committed by teenagers, many of whom are victims of teen gun violence.
The legislation represents a shift in the approach to prosecuting teenagers involved in gun-related crimes in Kentucky, moving towards more stringent penalties and adult court trials. The bill would transfer teenagers charged with serious felony offenses involving guns to circuit court for trial as adults, where they could face similar penalties as adults, including imprisonment. Supporters argue that the changes are necessary for public safety and to hold violent offenders accountable, while opponents express concerns about the lack of focus on rehabilitation for teenagers involved in criminal activities. The bill’s fate now rests with the Senate, which will determine whether to accept the changes made by the House before final approval.
