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In anticipation of the Raise the Age law going into effect, the New York State court system is seeking providers who want to supply attorneys to defend juveniles in Family Court.

New York is requesting letters of interest from legal aid firms that can provide attorney-for-the-child representatives for cases that will now be heard in Family Court. Chapter 59 of the Laws of 2017 raised the age of criminal responsibility from 16 to 18.

The new rules become effective on Oct. 1, 2018, for 16-year-olds and Oct. 1, 2019, for 17-year-olds. Older teens will be held in juvenile facilities rather than in county jails. Misdemeanors will be heard in Family Court and felonies will be adjudicated before judges trained in family law.

Organizations interested in responding can review the solicitation on the New York State Contract Reporter: www.nyscr.ny.gov.