The Governor’s Juvenile Justice Commission unanimously endorsed returning 17-year-olds to the juvenile justice system. Following a presentation by WCCF, WCHSA and the Sheriff’s Association, the Committee took up the issue formally for the first time in December. In their statement regarding age of jurisdiction, the Commission endorsed the following conclusions and recommendations:

• The Commission supports legislation that would raise the age of general adult criminal jurisdiction to 18 as the sole modification of Chapter 938.

• The Commission endorses a balanced approach to juvenile justice.

• The Commission recommends that this change be contingent on the provision of sufficient fiscal resources to the effected entities.

The full statement by the Commission, including their reasoning for endorsing the change and more specifics on their conclusions and recommendations can be found at our website: https://kidsforward.org/pdf/commission_statement_17-year%20olds_091108.pdf.

This is the second Governor’s Commission to endorse returning 17-year-olds to the juvenile justice system. The Governor’s Commission on Reducing Racial Disparities in the Wisconsin Justice System endorsed this policy change last February.