August 12, 2021

Reps. Kennedy & Ferraro Renew Bi-partisan Call for Action on Juvenile Justice Reform, Issue Package of Policies

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HARTFORD — State Reps. Kathy Kennedy (R-119) and Charles Ferraro joined their colleagues Tuesday in backing a list of specific policies they’ve identified to reform the state’s juvenile justice laws and seek accountability for the victims of Connecticut’s summer juvenile crime wave.

During a news conference on the North Steps of the Capitol in Hartford, House Republicans listed over a dozen specific statutory and policy changes they would make, centered around three core principles: “Prevention, Accountability, Rehabilitation,” a comprehensive plan we’ve proposed to provide these juvenile offenders with a path for rehabilitation, while also focusing on the personal responsibility aspect for these crimes.

“Milford has been hit hard with these car thefts, including my own neighborhood, I am advocating on behalf of victims who feel like they have been personally violated,” said Rep. Kennedy. “That is why I am calling for stronger repercussions for repeat offenders. If we want to reduce the crime rate in our state and put these individuals on the right path, we cannot be passive. We must act, and we must send a strong message that breaking the law will not be tolerated.”

Rep. Ferraro said “Our juvenile justice system is not only failing the residents of Connecticut, but it is also failing the youths who are committing these crimes. We need to process to evaluate these juvenile offenders to see what services can be given to them or if a DCF referral is appropriate.”

State Rep. Jill Barry (D- Glastonbury) who spoke at the press conference said, “This is not a party issue, this is a public safety issue, and I stand with my community.”

We are calling for our colleagues on the other side of the aisle to convene a special session in order continue these discussions and finally address the issue.

These proposed reforms include:

Implementing victim impact panels and juvenile delinquency hearings;
Electronic monitoring for juveniles arrested while awaiting trial on previous offenses;
Expedited arraignment for felonies, a sex assault, offense involving use of a firearm;
Court-ordered Family Support Services intervention at juvenile court arraignments;
Expand circumstances in which a matter is automatically transferred to regular criminal docket;
Create a new offense of “larceny of a motor vehicle” not tied to the value of the vehicle.

More proposals, with greater detail, can be found at www.stopcarthefts.com.