Crime Legislation

A new report from the Juvenile Justice Initiative of Illinois concludes that prosecuting children or teens in adult court doesn't improve public safety, even as it increases repeat offenses and disproportionately harms youth of color. The group is urging Illinois to end "automatic transfer" laws that move kids into adult court. It also wants to ensure legal counsel for children during interrogations and strengthen data collection to support more effective juvenile court practices.

The Missouri Speaker of the House Dean Plocher, R-St. Louis County, has formed a committee to examine what he says are crimes committed by "illegal immigrants" in the state. It's having its first meeting this week in Jefferson City.

Since Andrew Lester of Kansas City was accused of shooting teenager Ralph Yarl on Apr. 13, many headlines have included the words "Stand Your Ground." An attorney with the Gifford Law Center on Gun Violence explains that, if there was any legal defense for Lester, it would be the Castle Doctrine, not Missouri's Stand Your Ground law.

Missouri's 2020 special session on violent comes to an abrupt ending after House fails to consider several of Gov. Mike Parson's proposals.

A Missouri Senate committee has advanced the tough-on-crime legislation lawmakers have been working on throughout the special legislative session.

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson said "more people are losing their lives" as Legislature delays special session to break up his violent crime proposal.