One of the working groups that is part of the state’s Unified Juvenile Code Task Force reported yesterday that it would advise against incarcerating any child age 12 or under in Kentucky. The task force is co-chaired by 8th District State Representative John Tilley.
Chief District Justice Lisa Jones, of Owensboro, who serves on the Jurisdiction working group of the task force, said the group found that over 90 percent of children 12 and under do not understand what they are doing when they enter a guilty plea in court.
Current Kentucky law prohibits placing children age 10 and under in detention unless they are charged with a serious felony, according to statute. But state law has no minimum age for charging someone with a crime. The task force is considering the group’s findings, and findings of two other working groups, as it drafts proposed changes to the unified juvenile code for possible consideration by the full Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary and the Legislative Research Commission.
The two other working groups reviewed and advised the task force on truancy and assessment issues. The next meeting of the task force is tentatively scheduled for December 19.
Chief District Justice Lisa Jones, of Owensboro, who serves on the Jurisdiction working group of the task force, said the group found that over 90 percent of children 12 and under do not understand what they are doing when they enter a guilty plea in court.
Current Kentucky law prohibits placing children age 10 and under in detention unless they are charged with a serious felony, according to statute. But state law has no minimum age for charging someone with a crime. The task force is considering the group’s findings, and findings of two other working groups, as it drafts proposed changes to the unified juvenile code for possible consideration by the full Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary and the Legislative Research Commission.
The two other working groups reviewed and advised the task force on truancy and assessment issues. The next meeting of the task force is tentatively scheduled for December 19.
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