“For far too long, the state has lagged behind the rest of the nation in the area of juvenile justice. It is a shameful fact that New York is one of only two states in the entire country in which 16- and 17-year-olds can be treated as adults in the criminal justice system. I was proud to serve on this commission under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, ‎and fully support its recommendations to enhance fairness and better address this population’s special needs.”