Back The Badge Bill Passes GA Senate Committee...

That would send juvenile offenders to state superior court instead of juvenile court for offenders 13-17 who commit aggravated assault or aggravated battery on a police officer in the performance of said officers official duties.

It was stated that the only way to get the attention of these individuals is to send them to "adult" jail instead of juvenile detention much like the 2 who shot and wounded a Marietta, GA officer last fall.

What are your thoughts on this?

I don't really understand the point of juvenile halls at all if we're going to send adolescents as young as 13 to adult prisons for certain crimes. If it's because we believe they won't do well in prison due to their age, then why would that change depending on the action the got them there? If it's because we believe that they aren't mature/knowledgeable enough to understand the impact of their actions, then changing the destination doesn't make much sense in that case either.

It sounds like the "tough on crime" laws of the 90s which seem to be misguided in hindsight.

Using a deceptive name to criminalize youth. The Republican Party continue to disgust me as do their supporters.

Also, "touching" an officer is considered assault and battery and there was that case where someone's blood landed on an officer's uniform and that person was charged for assault and battery.

This bill is dumb. Want to support law enforcement? Support gun control measures and drug legalization efforts.

The youth is criminalizing themselves based on their actions. Quit passing the blame.

Apologetics like you are the reason why we'll have a police state. Why do you hate freedom so much?

So you think that even a 13 year old should be able to assault the police with no repercussions?

He just feels the repercussions need to be felt by the police because clearly the teen isn't at fault.

Don't you know how to read? A 13 year old shouldn't assault a police officer but it shouldn't automatically lead to a adult charges. There is a reason why we have juvenile vs adult criminal justice system.

Jesus Christ, none of you know how to think critically. The other issue is that assault and battery can cover so much. For example, if a person touched another, it's ground for assault and battery.

So a 13 year old who shoots at a cop should just go to juvenile court? Shooting a firearm is a very adult thing to do, as well as illegal for one of said age to have in one's possession depending on state law. Assault with a deadly weapon (the aggravated assault charge) is serious no matter how old one is.

Yes, regardless of who the kid shoots at. We have a juvenile system for a reason and no, the juvenile system isn't easy on anyone either but sending a kid to adult prison makes no sense.

At least others see it differently, especially with kids committing acts that are adult in nature compared to what they did even 15 years ago.

@WhiteKnight77: @drunk_pi: You guys are touching on what I was trying to allude to earlier. If we have a reason to have a cutoff age for adult prisons, then why would that cutoff change for certain crimes?

The bill above includes 13-17 year olds, but targets anyone who attacks police officers. Senate committee approves 'Back the Badge' bill. While many think that police are supposed to get crap thrown at them, or beat on or worse, there are others who understand that police do more than just arrest people and believe that those who attack those who serve communities deserve more severe penalties than what was given such as those 2 15 year olds who shot the cop even though they were gang members. Juvie just does not get to them.

If you are under 18 and commit a crime, you go through the juvenile system. There is a reason why we have a juvenile system.

No one thinks that police officers should get crap thrown at them or worse but they should NOT be above the law in that regard.

This bill is dumb because instead of working on prevention, it's working on reacting. You want to lower the amount of crime juveniles commit? Look at the cause. Is it because of a lack of educational opportunities? Poor-performing schools? Lack of economic opportunity? Appeal of gangs? Also, what is the rate of juveniles attacking officers? You link a story but it doesn't provide any statistical information.

As I stated earlier, this bill is using its title to pass a law that effectively makes juveniles committing a crime "adults." What's the point of the juvenile system then?

Why do I get the feeling you're young?

Why do I get the feeling that you're nothing more than a troll?

LINK & LINK to information regarding states with high gun ownership rates and police deaths.

As for drug legalization, it should be an obvious.

Heroin is the big problem right now, not Marijuana. Brother is a cop now and was in the FBI task force for drug enforcement. You can also just watch the news..so unless you wanna make that legal...?

Stricter gun laws only protect the criminals who got their guns illegally in the first place.

Liberal talking points are so stupid and tired out. You wonder why the democrats lost in pretty much every facet of the government this past election? People keep parroting the same bullshit you do.

Heroin is nowhere near the problem it was in Portugal before legalization. They legalized all drugs, and took a public health approach rather than a police one. Usage of drugs across the board have gone down, as have overdose deaths, teen drug use, and crimes related to distribution. They gave heroin users free heroin, along with needle exchanges, aids testing, and educational services pertinent to drug addiction.

I support legalization, as it would rid much corruption within policing, and give police time and resources to go after violent crimes. It would also unburden our prison system, and the judiciary. So much of their time is wasted on crimes without any tangible victims.

And lastly, BUNNY COLVIIIIINNNN!!!!!!!

LOL

Where in my post did I suggest that marijuana was the focus? Do you know how to read or do you lack reading comprehension? When you take the market away from drug cartels and make drug abuse a medical issue, it solves more problems than it creates. Heroin is a shit drug but decriminalizing it and making it a medical issue can save lives and free up police resources. Not only that, a person with a heroin problem can report to the police without having to be criminalized because of it.

Southern states have a high gun crime rate and police are more likely to be shot in states with loose gun laws. Those are facts. Those aren't liberal talking points, they're called facts. You should try it next time instead of parroting the same conservative talking points. Also, if stricter gun laws only protect criminals, explain how Japan and Australia were able to have a much lower gun crime rate with strict gun control laws? Obviously you can't. No one is suggesting that gun ownership should be illegal but loose restrictions are idiotic. Obviously there should be restrictions that are reasonable.

I'm sure it has nothing to do with cultural, demographic and a myriad of other reasons why Japan doesn't have the gun problem we do.

Sorry, making heroin legal is stupid as ****.

Then perhaps the Japanese know something that we don't. Even in Europe, you have some countries that do have gun ownership with strict gun control laws but lower crime rates. There are other factors that lead to crime but easy access to guns is one of them.

Also Hillsovak already explained his point well enough. You might as well keep shooting yourself in the foot and expecting a different outcome.

Explaining something doesn't mean it's a good idea. We should also make murder legal. Free up the police and we can just educate people on not to do it.

As soon as you start talking about making Heroin legal and giving it to people, you sound fucking nuts. I thought Trump was crazy but you take the cake.

BTW Japan also has one of the highest suicide rates. Maybe they should learn something from us and shoot a gun off once in awhile? :P

Whether or not something sounds crazy, and whether or not the results bear significant changes, are two different things. Portugal gave heroin addicts heroin in order to help ween them off of the drug, and educated people as to why it is so harmful.

http://www.tdpf.org.uk/blog/success-portugal%E2%80%99s-decriminalisation-policy-%E2%80%93-seven-charts

https://www.drugpolicy.org/sites/default/files/DPA_Fact_Sheet_Portugal_Decriminalization_Feb2015.pdf

http://www.businessinsider.com/what-happened-when-portugal-decriminalized-all-drugs-2016-3

No, I refuse to pretend as if Portugal is some utopia because you dont get popped for a dime bag, but denying the results is folly.

And on Japan: Their gun policies have nothing to do with their suicide rates. The suicide rates seem to be a result of the culture shift that has occurred within Japan, specifically, since the end of World War 2. Japan, for the vast majority of it's history, was a rigid, caste and honor dominated society. Women were expected to act in a homogenous way, and so were males. Well, after WW2, Japan was forced to fit into a more western mold in many ways, especially since the fall of grace in regards to the Imperial Family, and their leader being a God King. The suicide rate is due to the same reasons male virginty within Japan is so high, why marriage rates are so low, and why depression is so prevelant.

What you on about white k

You have exhibited the all workings of an apologist. IMO 13 years is not an age where your time on earth should essentially give you a mulligan. Save the juvenile system for the more minor of crimes like a fight at school (w/o serious injury), stealing soda from the corner store, truancy, etc.., You have a guts to lecture everyone else on critical thinking when all you do is makes excuses and apologize for law breakers?

No it's calling having common sense which clearly you do not have. A 13 year old is a juvenile. Juvenile commits crime. Juvenile goes to Juvie. That should be the end of it.

There is a reason why we have juvenile courts.