Wisconsin trying to stop 17-year-olds from being tried as adults

One expert sees measure helping teens in long run

MADISON, Wis. – Another shot at moving children out of adult court in Wisconsin appears to have growing support.

The measure introduced at the state capitol would stop the practice of having 17-year-olds in the state automatically charged for all crimes as adults.

It makes more sense in the long run, said Jim Moeser from the Wisconsin Council on Children and Families. 

“Those dealt with in the juvenile court system are less likely to re-offend, more likely to get the services they need and less likely to be harmed by an adult arrest record, an adult criminal court record,” he said.

Wisconsin is one of only nine states that automatically sends children to adult court. Under the current proposal, some violent or repeat offenders would still be considered adults at 17.

Similar measures have been introduced repeatedly over the last several years. Each time, the biggest resistance comes from lawmakers concerned about additional local costs associated with the move.