Texas is one of four states left that automatically sends 17-year olds accused of a crime to the adult criminal justice system, although typically the age of adulthood in the U.S. is 18. Evidence shows that young brains are not fully developed until around the age of 25 and children do not fully understand the consequences of their actions.

Additionally, having a criminal record can create lifetime barriers for children including finding and maintaining employment, furthering their education, and keeping them from enlisting in the military.

House Bill 344 will raise the age of criminal responsibility from 17 to 18 years old in Texas and move these 17-year olds into juvenile facilities that are better suited for their safety and needs.  
 
Lasting Consequences
·     Children housed in adult facilities are more likely to be sexually and/or physically assaulted
·     After being housed in adult jails and prisons, children are 36 times more likely to complete suicide than children incarcerated in juvenile facilities
·     The majority of 17-year olds are arrested for nonviolent and misdemeanor offenses
·     Children transferred to the adult criminal justice system are more likely to re-offend than children who are kept in the juvenile justice system.
 
There are numerous consequences to failing to raise the age. Teens directed into adult prisons do not have access to the rehabilitative services that the juvenile justice system provides such as counseling and diversion programs that assist them with educational assistance or substance abuse treatment. In fact, 68% of males in state and federal prisons do not have a high school diploma. 
 
It is imperative that we move children out the adult criminal justice system and raise the age in Texas. Please join us in signing this petition to demand that lawmakers pass HB 344 and raise the age in Texas.