We are calling on Chris Becker, Kent County Prosecuting Attorney, to reconsider his pattern of charging juveniles as adults, including the current case of a 17-year-old boy facing up to two years in prison for a non-malicious, impulsive act that followed months of bullying and harassment. This young boy made a mistake, as many teenagers do. Yet, rather than being given the opportunity to learn and grow from his actions, he's facing a harsh adult penalty that's disproportionate to his mistake.

The practice of prosecuting minors as adults is alarming and unjust. Across the United States, we see that children who are tried in adult courts are more likely to reoffend and face harsher punishments than if they were tried in juvenile courts. According to the Equal Justice Initiative, being prosecuted as an adult increases the risk of suicide, sexual abuse, and physical assault faced by minors in detention. Furthermore, the psychological impact of adult sentencing on youth is devastating and often irreparable.

Charging juveniles as adults ignores the fact that teenagers are still developing, both cognitively and emotionally. The American Psychological Association states that adolescents are less capable than adults in controlling their impulses, recognizing consequences, and resisting peer pressure. The juvenile justice system exists to provide an environment where young people can receive guidance, instead of being prematurely pushed into an unforgiving adult system.

After Michigan passed the Raise the Age Law in 2021, Becker tripled the number of waivers allowing juveniles to be charged and tried as adults.  Statistics show that juveniles prosecuted as adults are 34% more likely to re-offend than those processed through the juvenile justice system. Given a chance, young offenders can benefit from rehabilitation programs focused on education and community service, which have proven successful in setting youth on a path towards responsible adulthood.

The Kent County community has the power and responsibility to support our youth by providing rehabilitative and educational opportunities rather than punitive measures that do more harm than good. Adolescence is a time of growth and development. Mistakes made during this period should be met with understanding and guidance, not unduly harsh punishment.

I urge Chris Becker to prioritize rehabilitation over incarceration for juveniles. Let us motivate a change in policy that ensures youth have the support they need to become responsible and contributing members of society. This 17-year-old deserves a second chance — an opportunity to learn from his mistakes, grow into a responsible member of society, and prove that rehabilitation and support lead to far better outcomes than condemning a teenager to two years in an adult prison

Sign this petition to stop the unjust practice of prosecuting kids as adults and advocate for a justice system that understands the potential for change in every young person.