Teens charged with nonviolent crimes in Tennessee could be tried in adult court

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Did you know that under a new state law, a teenager can be transferred to adult court for shoplifting?

It’s true, and it leaves many people perplexed.

In fact, the Davidson County Juvenile Court judge said the idea of ​​treating a child as an adult for a non-violent crime makes absolutely no sense.

Not all troubled teens are sent to juvenile detention centers.

I explain all this in the player above.

Some, if they commit a violent offence, can be brought before adult court and there is now a change in the law whereby a teenager charged with shoplifting can also be transferred to adult court.

“We didn’t have this case on our radar,” Juvenile Judge Shelia Calloway said.

The new law in July came as a surprise.

Calloway said state lawmakers did not consult with judges, and if they had, she would have told them.

“If we continue to fail all children, we will not change anything and we will not make the community safer,” Calloway said.

The law gives juvenile judges the ability to transfer children 15 and older to adult court for “organized retail crime,” when suspects steal items worth more than $1,000 over a period of months.

They can also be transferred for stealing a weapon.

Calloway said she transfers between 12 and 15 juvenile offenders each year to adult court for crimes such as aggravated assault or murder.

“I have sent some cases to the adult system and it breaks my heart every time I do it,” she said.

When convicted of violent crimes, these children face long prison sentences.

But Calloway said a shoplifting conviction in adult court means maybe 180 days in jail without any of the therapy teens get in juvenile detention. Then they’re released with a scarlet letter on their record.

“At 16, you put a label on that child that will prevent him from ever becoming a productive citizen,” Calloway said.

She said it made no sense and could even lead to teenagers committing more crimes.

Calloway said the new law is a symptom of frustration with youth crime.

Ultimately, juvenile crime remains a problem across the state, and lawmakers are cracking down on it, whether it’s a violent offense or something as minor as shoplifting.

Although juvenile crime remains a problem, the actual number of juveniles arrested in Tennessee has declined by more than 50 percent over the past 10 years.

Want to talk about this story? Email me at [email protected].

She’s over 80 and legally blind. A Franklin woman continues to crochet for those in need

“Here is a beautiful story that proves that everyone has something to give, no matter their age OR personal struggles. Austin Pollack introduces us to Ms. Sylvia Mooney. At 80 years old, she doesn’t sit around. Instead, she uses her skills to create compassion for others…one stitch at a time. Her crochet creations are donated to non-profit organizations to help our homeless neighbors. You’ll be surprised to learn that she does all of this while dealing with a serious health issue. Well done Sylvia!”

-Rhori Johnston