Deputies frustrated in Union County by state law easing punishment for some teens commiting crimes – WSOC TV

UNION COUNTY, N.C. — The Union County Sheriff’s Workplace informed Channel 9′s Erika Jackson that they’ve seen a current uptick in crimes involving minors.

Nevertheless it’s exhausting for neighbors to maintain an eye fixed out for these offenders as a result of a state legislation prevents their arrests and their names from being launched.

Simply Sunday morning, deputies mentioned a teen was caught on digital camera breaking into unlocked automobiles within the Bonterra neighborhood. Officers mentioned the suspect and different youngsters broke into 26 unlocked autos and stole two weapons and even a automobile.

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Authorities finally discovered 4 suspects however needed to launch them as a result of they have been underneath 18 years previous. As a result of “Increase the Age” legislation in North Carolina, the suspects face felonies in juvenile court docket.

“We recognized the juvenile offenders, sought safe custody orders and so they have been denied. So these children went again to their houses earlier than the paperwork was even completed on all of the work that it took to get them in custody,” mentioned Lt. James Maye.

The stolen weapons haven’t been recovered, officers mentioned.

The identical weekend, deputies mentioned they caught 5 folks for breaking into Wesley Chapel Elementary College after hours. The names of three of the suspects have been launched, however state legislation prevents the arrest of the 2 17-year-old offenders.

“It’s irritating on our finish that we’re not capable of shield the general public by holding these people accountable,” Maye mentioned.

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The North Carolina “Increase the Age” legislation went into impact in 2019. The legislation is constructed to provide first-time juvenile offenders a second likelihood. It retains 16- and 17-year-olds within the juvenile court docket system.

“Treating them as juveniles, type of kind of a slap on the wrist, will help some folks. They usually might take that as a studying expertise,” mentioned prison protection legal professional Aaron Lee.

Lee mentioned that studying expertise might hold teenagers from committing extra severe crimes, although he believes it additionally comes with restricted penalties.

“They have been already out doing this stuff, and their mother and father didn’t know. Sending them proper again to Mother and Dad, who knew nothing about this, isn’t stopping them,” Lee mentioned.

The Union County Sheriff’s Workplace mentioned investigators will file a petition by way of the Division of Juvenile Justice to cost every teen. Maye mentioned it may very well be greater than a month earlier than they step in a courtroom.

Within the meantime, Maye mentioned his workforce is working across the clock to forestall others from falling sufferer.

“Our workplace is out on the streets working exhausting to ensure folks’s property is protected and folks themselves are protected,” he mentioned.

Deputies mentioned they’re going to have further officers on patrol.

The sheriff’s workplace additionally needed to remind everybody to lock their doorways and automobiles.

(WATCH BELOW: Federal guidelines will assist authorities hint ‘ghost weapons,’ cease them from moving into unsuitable fingers)

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