Neurology and development psychology suggest that cognitive skills and emotional intelligence continues to develop well into one’s mid-20's. Knowing this, why are 18 - 21 years old's being prosecuted as adults? “Raising the Age" is a cause that calls on legislators to raise the juvenile age to 21 in the state of Mississippi. The National Institute of Justice has done extensive case studies suggesting that young adults are developmentally distinct from older adults and should be treated as such by the judicial system. In 2002, psychologist Jeffrey Arnett conceived the term "emerging adult", competently defines the developmental period in which a youth that is dependent on ones parents or guardians for guidance (emotionally and financially) transitions into a independent adult. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) also released new guidelines in September 2017 which suggest raising the upper age limit of pediatric care to age 21. The AAP have also stated,“it is increasingly clear that the age of 21 years is an arbitrary demarcation line for adolescence because there is increasing evidence that brain development has not reliably reached adult levels of functioning until well into the third decade of life.”

When focusing outside the criminal court system, special provisions to protect this age group are taken by making it illegal to purchase a handgun and consume alcohol. As well as the newest policy to raise the age in which a person can purchase tobacco products. Further reiterates the seemingly undeniable fact that young adults need protection from a lifetime stain from acts committed while not fully matured. 

Raising the age in the juvenile court jurisdiction to include 18-21 year old's allows the focus to be more on rehabilitation instead of punishment. If we put those resources in more community base efforts. This would create tremendous strides to promote healthy adolescent and reduce crime. This topic is critical to criminal justice reform although in order to develop a more effective approach we must first need to reform policies. We need your support, your signature matters! We call on or legislators to recognize this great inequality and raise the age.