Budget Deal Ends Adult Prosecution Of North Carolina Teens

North Carolina would no longer be the only state that automatically prosecutes 16- and 17-year-olds as adults under an agreement put in the state budget.

The measure would shift those teens accused of misdemeanors and some felonies to the juvenile court system, where records are confidential instead of adult courts where there records are public. The "raise the age" proposal would take effect in 2019.

North Carolina was the only holdout in the nation after New York legislators agreed in April to a two-year phase out of the practice.

Supporters say the change would prevent the teens having a public criminal record which can hurt them when applying for jobs, trying to secure loans or getting professional licenses.

Lawmakers start voting Tuesday on the budget bill.