The New York State budget is due April 1, and one of the hot topics is “Raise the Age” legislation. New York and North Carolina are the only two states that prosecute 16- and 17-year-old offenders as adults. For five years, the issue has divided parties in the state Senate. Those in favor of raising the age of criminal liability to 18 say youth offenders put in adult prisons are more likely to re-offend, experience mental health issues, and be physically harmed in prison. Opponents say raising