Aug. 04--Fewer juveniles will be automatically transferred to adult court under a measure Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner signed into law Tuesday.
The legislation, which was pushed by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, eliminates the automatic transfer to adult court of 15-year-olds accused of any crime, no matter how serious. For 16- and 17-year-olds, only those charged with murder, aggravated criminal sexual assault and aggravated battery with a firearm would automatically be sent to adult court.
The measure does not prevent juvenile defendants from being tried as adults. But it ensures that some will have their cases heard first in front of a juvenile court judge, who can consider factors such as background, mental capacity and culpability before deciding whether to send the youth to adult court.
Preckwinkle has estimated that the measure will cut in half the number of juvenile offenders in Cook County who are automatically sent to adult court.
