Youth, parents, juvenile justice advocates, elected officials, public defender organizations gathered yesterday in the Bronx to share their vision of youth justice and community safety, and call for passage of two pieces of critical legislation – the #Right2RemainSilent Act and the Youth Justice and Opportunities Act – which would provide a developmentally appropriate response to young New Yorkers entangled in the criminal legal system.

The #Right2RemainSilent legislation would ensure all young New Yorkers consult with counsel before waiving their Miranda rights and being subjected to a custodial police interrogation.

The barriers created by adult convictions and sentencing make it harder for young people to finish school, get good jobs, and find stable housing. The Youth Justice and Opportunities Act (YJ&O) would expand alternatives to incarceration and immediate record sealing for young people age 25 and younger, creating opportunities for release and successful reentry.

“Young people throughout New York State routinely waive their constitutional right to remain silent without understanding the consequences, and are subjected to excessively harsh penalties at the hands of a criminal legal system that consistently prioritizes punishment over rehabilitation,” said Dawne Mitchell, Chief Attorney of The Legal Aid Society’s Juvenile Rights Practice.

“The #Right2RemainSilent Act will ensure that all young New Yorkers, not just those who can afford a private attorney, will consult with an attorney prior to police interrogation. The Youth Justice and Opportunities Act will allow more youth and young adults access to alternatives to incarceration and critical record-sealing relief,” she continued. “We implore Albany lawmakers to prioritize these bills and the needs of young people.”