Bill would keep kids out of criminal justice system - Lexington Herald-Leader
Should 5-, 6- and 7-year-olds face criminal charges?
In 2009 and 2010, complaints were filed against at least 748 Kentucky children younger than 11 for offenses that included being out of control, minor injury assaults and criminal mischief. Sixty-three of those children were ages 5, 6, and 7, according to a 2011 Herald-Leader analysis of state records. Eight of those children were 5 years old.
State Rep. Darryl Owens, D-Louisville, last week introduced House Bill 143, which would prohibit children 10 or younger from being charged with criminal offenses. Instead, those children could be found neglected or dependent on the state for services.
Campbell pilot program addresses kids in courts- Lexington Herald-Leader
Campbell District Judge Karen Thomas is developing a pilot project aimed at keeping children 10 and younger out of the criminal justice system and keeping runaways and truants who do not commit crimes out of jail.
The project will include intensive case management. Thomas said she would like to have it operating in Campbell County within six months and then duplicated in other counties.
