CLEARFIELD, Pa. (WTAJ) — A new proposal backed by six Philadelphia representatives seeks to repeal Pennsylvania’s “direct file” law, which allows juveniles aged 14 and older to be charged as adults for certain violent crimes. This move would change how the state handles juvenile offenders, particularly those accused of serious offenses.
What is the “Direct File” Law?
Under Pennsylvania’s current law, minors as young as 14 can be charged as adults for violent crimes such as homicide, rape, and aggravated assault. However, it’s relatively rare for children to face adult charges. For instance, last year, a 14-year-old in Clearfield County was initially charged with homicide but later had the case dropped to juvenile court. According to state records, about two-thirds of juvenile cases are either transferred back to juvenile court or dismissed altogether.
Lawmakers Push for Change
The lawmakers behind the bill argue that charging children as adults can have long-lasting negative effects on their development, potentially turning them into repeat offenders. They believe the existing system is harmful to children, leading to severe punishments that damage their well-being. However, District Attorneys like Pete Weeks of Blair County disagree, emphasizing the importance of protecting younger victims from dangerous offenders.
The Debate on Juvenile Justice Reform
While some advocates are calling for a complete repeal of the direct file law, others, such as Clearfield County District Attorney Ryan Sayers, argue that the law is already very limited in its application. Sayers believes that while reforms are necessary, removing the direct file option entirely would be a mistake, particularly for the most serious offenses.
“The statute is already very limited on what we have the ability to direct file. And those include the ones that we had talked about before — murder, rape, sexual assault, aggravated assault. Those are very serious crimes,” Sayers said.
Blair County District Attorney’s Concerns
Pete Weeks, the District Attorney for Blair County, raised concerns about the potential risks of not charging certain violent offenders as adults. He pointed to cases in which teens have committed horrific crimes, such as raping younger children, and argued that placing these offenders with other juvenile offenders could endanger the rehabilitation of those trying to reform.
“We have a fair amount of cases in Blair County where we have a 16-year-old or 17-year-old raping someone under the age of 11 or 10. And if you have someone engaged in that type of criminal behavior, does it make sense to put them with other juvenile offenders who you’re attempting to rehabilitate?” Weeks said.
The Role of Juvenile Probation
Both District Attorneys acknowledged that charging a juvenile as an adult is a decision made with great care. In some cases, such as in 2020 when Weeks prosecuted four teens for attempted homicide, offenders were already involved in the juvenile justice system. Weeks has called for more resources to better supervise juvenile offenders before their behavior escalates to serious crimes.
“I’ve lobbied and said many times that we need more resources for juvenile probation to be able to supervise them more closely. We need to be going through their phones, their social media, enforcing curfews when they are committing less serious offenses before they escalate to the charges they cause us to direct file or place them into adult court,” Weeks said.
Challenges in Juvenile Facilities
A significant concern for both District Attorneys is the current shortage of available beds in juvenile detention facilities. According to Weeks, juvenile probation is often unable to find a secure bed for offenders, leading to cases where dangerous teens are placed in the custody of family members instead of being detained. This situation raises concerns about public safety and the ability of the juvenile system to provide appropriate care for offenders.
“99% of the time, juvenile probation is unable to find a bed at a detention facility,” Weeks said. “We’ve had a stabbing case where the offender was under the age that allowed us to direct file as an adult. That juvenile offender was accused of stabbing someone. They were taken into custody and returned by juvenile probation the same evening to, I believe, a grandparent because there is simply no beds available for juvenile offenders in the juvenile system.”
The Legislative Proposal
Lawmakers have not yet provided specific details on how they plan to address the shortage of juvenile detention beds or other issues within the juvenile justice system. However, the proposal to repeal the direct file law comes as the Shapiro Administration has launched a study to examine the closure of SCI Rockview, one of the few facilities in Central Pennsylvania that can house young offenders.
If passed, the new law would significantly alter the landscape of juvenile justice in Pennsylvania, raising questions about how to best balance the need for rehabilitation with the safety of the public.
Looking Ahead
The debate over Pennsylvania’s juvenile justice system is far from over. While some push for a more rehabilitative approach, others believe certain violent crimes require adult-level consequences. It’s clear that reform is needed, but finding the right balance will be a challenge for lawmakers and law enforcement alike.
As this proposal moves through the legislative process, it will be important to watch how these complex issues are addressed. The future of juvenile justice in Pennsylvania depends on finding solutions that protect both young offenders and the communities they affect.
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