A new state law is now in effect that keeps most 16-year-old offenders out of adult jails and prisons.
The so-called Raise the Age law means those teenagers who commit felonies will no longer be considered adult offenders and will have their cases heard by a judge who is trained to deal with youthful offenders. They will be incarcerated with 14- and 15-year-olds.
Those who commit misdemeanors will have their cases heard in family court. Next year, the new law will be extended to 17-year-olds.
New York State has set aside more than 250 million dollars to help counties deal with the transition.