Introduction & Policy Context

New York State’s Raise the Age law changed how the justice system handles young people by raising the age of criminal responsibility from 16 to 18. Passed in 2017 and fully implemented by 2019, it moved most 16- and 17-year-olds out of adult criminal court and into Family Court or specialized Youth Parts. The landmark reform came as a result of years of advocacy efforts that recognized the neuroscience findings that youth are biologically prone to impulsivity and short-term thinking while also vulnerable to traumatization.

Building on this, criminal justice reform advocates are focusing on promising approaches for justice-involved individuals ages 18 to 25 – a group that is processed as adults. Studies show that individuals in this age group are still developing key decision-making skills and benefit from restorative and rehabilitative interventions such as mentoring, education, and workforce support. Conversely, punitive responses – incarceration without supports – can increase reoffending.

The high percentage of arrests in this demographic, particularly for misdemeanors,  presents an opportunity to develop and expand diversion programs that invest in emerging adults and expand alternatives to incarceration.

In order to launch and advocate for more support, practitioners and advocates need stronger data collection to understand where arrests occur, the types of charges, and the ages of those involved.  By examining patterns across cases, we can better refine and expand diversion programs to support all youth, regardless of the economic circumstances and social determinants of health.

What We Know – Arrest Data Trends

Compilation and analysis of arrest data trends can help make the case for diversion programs. Each arrest leads to a decision about what happens next—whether an individual is prosecuted, supervised, or offered support through a diversion program.  Several key factors shape these outcomes, including the number of arrests, the types of charges, the ages of those involved, and where arrests are concentrated. Together, these indicators offer a clear picture of whether youth and young adults are being directed into the kinds of diversion programs that Raise the Age was designed to promote.

The Westchester Index has culled through the data from each local court for the years 2021 to 2025.  Key findings appear below:

• Arrests have been increasing. Arrests across all ages rose by about 33 percent from 2021 to 2024. Arrests are most common among adults ages 25 to 34, followed by those ages 35 to 44 and 18 to 24.
• Most arrests are non-violent. Most arrests involve non-violent offenses, creating a clear opportunity to divert individuals to diversion programs.
• Arrests of 18-24 year olds are declining. Arrests among 18 to 24 year olds this group peaked in 2022, for both misdemeanors and felonies, have been declining since then.
• Most arrests of 18-24 year olds involve misdemeanors. About 60 percent of arrests of 18 to 24 year olds involve misdemeanors. These young adults may be eligible for diversion, making them a key group for expanding support-based approaches.
• Arrests are not evenly distributed across the county.  Most arrests occur in a small number of cities—Yonkers, Mount Vernon, White Plains, New Rochelle, and Peekskill—while other areas see far fewer cases.

What We Don’t Know – The Missing Data

Data gaps limit what can be assessed. Race is missing in about 52 percent of cases, ethnicity in 55 percent, age in 11 percent, and gender in 6 percent. These gaps make it difficult to evaluate disparities and measure equity, both central goals of youth justice reform.

When it comes to the collection and analysis of youth justice data, disparities are essential for understanding how systems impact young people and where interventions are most needed. Limitations in detailed and accessible data, make it more difficult to identify disparities, evaluate program effectiveness, or advocate for evidence-based reforms. Data-driven insights enable policymakers, practitioners, and communities to better target resources, expand successful programs, and improve outcomes for youth.

Ongoing measurement is equally important. Tracking trends over time helps determine whether reforms are achieving their intended impact or whether disparities persist. Without consistent monitoring, systems risk maintaining existing inequities rather than addressing them. Data not only informs policy decisions- it provides accountability.

Arrest Data Points to a Clear Opportunity

Westchester’s existing arrest data points to a clear opportunity. Most system contact involves non-violent offenses among youth and young adults, many of whom are eligible for diversion and supportive services. Across key measures, including arrest volume, offense type, age, and location, the pattern is consistent: the system most often interacts with people who are well-suited for rehabilitative approaches.

Spotlight: Diversion and Youth Justice Programs in Westchester

The Trust – Westchester has identified and supported effective, well-resourced diversion programs in Westchester County that demonstrate how communities can maximize the goals of Raise the Age by moving young adults away from prosecution and toward community-based support. These programs are in New Rochelle, White Plains, and Mount Vernon, cities where arrest rates are higher than other communities and where practitioners and advocates can track data on the effectiveness of diversion programs.

• In New Rochelle, Opportunity Youth Part serves people ages 18 to 24 facing misdemeanor or felony charges by combining close supervision with services such as education, job training, mentoring, and behavioral health support. Since launching in 2020, it has served more than 200 participants, with about 140 completing the program. Of those, 87 percent avoided a criminal record, and 95 percent have not returned to court, demonstrating strong outcomes tied to consistent support.
• The White Plains Youth Justice Part incorporates restorative justice through the Community Youth Court, where trained youth volunteers serve as judges, attorneys, and jurors for peers charged with low-level, non-violent offenses. Participants are held accountable through a process that emphasizes responsibility, peer engagement, and community impact. This structured, youth-led model is effective in a high-volume setting, enabling a consistent, scalable diversion approach.
• In Mount Vernon, the Emerging Adult Justice Part serves individuals ages 18 to 25 through a personalized, community-based model. Launched in 2021, the program connects participants to services such as job training, mentoring, and behavioral health care to address the root causes of their involvement in the system. This tailored approach promotes stability, reduces reoffending, and helps strengthen trust and outcomes in a high-need community.

All of these efforts are grounded in the same principle as the 2017 Raise the Age Law: individuals in their late teens and early 20s are still developing and respond better to support, structure, and opportunity than to punishment. Expanding these options is especially important locally, where many arrests involve non-violent offenses and individuals who are strong candidates for diversion.

Hear from Judge Jared Rice about Opportunity Youth Part:

Hear from Judge Jared Rice about a vision for Community Justice

Hear from Judge Jared Rice about the importance and role of data: