A bill before the General Assembly would make most offenders who have not yet turned eighteen, juveniles in Georgia. The bill was before the state legislature last year, but did not clear the General Assembly before the last day of session.
Georgia is one of only three states, along with Wisconsin and Texas, that still charges 17-year-olds as adults.
State Rep. Eddie Lumsden (R-Armuchee) who represents Chattooga County and large portion of Floyd County in the General Assembly supports the bill.
The bill passed the House by a vote of 113-51.
Some local officials worry that the change would mean the need for more juvenile probation officers and more expenses for juvenile courts, which are funded by the state’s counties.
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