Posted: April 14th, 2011 | by Yuval Sheer

As part of an ongoing effort to encourage a statewide discussion about New York’s policy of trying children as adults, NYCJJ conducted two events at Syracuse University College of Law on April 11, 2011.

The first event was sponsored by the College of Human Ecology, the College of Law, and the Center for Community Alternatives. In attendance were professors, law students, social work students, and practitioners who work with youth.

Judge Corriero discussed the consequences of New York’s low age of criminal responsibility, and shared insights from his experience as a judge in Manhattan’s Youth Part, highlighting the inadequacies of the Juvenile Offender law that permits trying 13, 14 and 15 year olds as adults. The multidisciplinary composition of the audience resulted in diverse perspectives about the consequences and societal costs of the over criminalization of minors in New York State.

The second event was sponsored by the Syracuse Criminal Law Society and the Syracuse Family Law Society. Judge Corriero, during a lunch discussion, encouraged the students to join a statewide grassroots movement to bring about systemic reform of New York’s Juvenile Justice system.

The Center wishes to thank Marsha Weissman, the Executive Director of the Center For Community Alternatives, Diane Lyden Murphy, Dean of the College of Human Ecology, Prof. Mary Helen McNeal, Clinic Director, Prof. Suzette M. Melendez, Director of the Children’s Rights and Family Law Clinic, Amy A. Rood, Coordinator of Alumni Affairs and Events, Mathew L. Greeger, President of the Criminal Law Society, and Vicki Belstadt, President of the Family Law Society, for their hospitality and for providing us with an opportunity to speak with the students about this important issue.

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