News from the Senate Majority
Alaska State Legislature

Wendy Lindskoog, Senate Majority Press Secretary
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
Phone: 907/465-4582
http://www.akrepublicans.org
Broadcast Actualities: 800/478-6540

House Passes Measure Which Would Treat Repeat Violent Juvenile Offenders as Adults

For Immediate Release: February 20,1998 Contact: James Armstrong, Assistant to Senator Dave Donley, at (907) 465-6581.

Juneau - The Alaska House of Representatives unanimously passed Senate Bill 63, which would prosecute minors, age 16 and older, as adults who for the second time use a deadly weapon to commit a violent crime against a person.

"Alaska has seen a dramatic increase in the violent crimes committed by juveniles," said bill sponsor Senator Dave Donley (R-Midtown Anchorage). "The threat of being tried as an adult sends a strong message to these violent offenders that this type of behavior will no longer be tolerated."

Senate Bill 63 would prosecute minors as adults who:

Donley noted that the Department of Health and Social Services identified three juvenile cases last year that would have qualified to be automatically waived to adult court under the provisions of Senate Bill 63.

"Clearly these cases represent the most serious and dangerous juvenile offenders which are not currently waived," explained Senator Donley. "The passage of SB 63 make these individuals accountable for their actions and will curb the unprecedented increase in juvenile violent crime in Alaska," Donley said.

There is no mandatory sentence requirement under Senate Bill 63. The sentence is entirely dependent on the judge's ruling. Additionally, minors who are convicted of adult crimes, if incarcerated, are required by law to be segregated from adult prison population.

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 = Dave Donley, 39 K