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Senate Calls for Juveniles Who Commit "Hate Crimes" to be Tried As Adults

(JUNEAU) - The Alaska Senate passed legislation today that would require juveniles sixteen years of age or older who are accused of a serious, violent hate crime to be tried as an adult.

"We need to send a message to juveniles that Alaskans and Alaska's justice system take these types of hate crimes very seriously," said Donley. "The juvenile justice system has no public accountability. We need the public accountability of open court to ensure justice and deterrence against these types of crimes against society."

Senate Bill 169 changes the current law that automatically waives juveniles to adult court to include a violent felony against a person because of that person's race, sex, color, creed, physical or mental disability, ancestry, or national origin.

"Moving these crimes of particular concern against society and our communities to adult court will ensure public accountability that justice is done," said Donley. "Additionally that public justice, rather than the non-public juvenile system, will better deter this type of reprehensible behavior by juveniles."

SB 169 passed the Senate with a vote of 14 - 6 and is now under consideration by the House.

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