SEATTLE - King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg says we are seeing an explosion of violent youth crime. A troubling barometer of the problem: the number of juveniles who are automatically tried as adults for serious and violent crimes.
There were 19 in all of 2008. Halfway through 2009, we have already passed that number, with nine in April alone, seven more in May, and four so far this month. Most involved guns.
Currently most 16- and 17-year-olds caught with a gun get probation and community service. It's what Satterberg calls a slap on the wrist.
Case in point, says Satterberg, January's murder at the Seattle nightclub Chop Suey. Satterberg says an 18-year-old charged in the, shooting had been caught with a gun just months earlier when he was 17.
"He got six months probation and community service. I think it sent the message that it is no big deal. It's like a traffic ticket," Satterberg said.
Now he says it is time to send a different message.
"When a kid is found with a gun, we ought to take them out of the community and do everything we can do to that kid, and for that kid, to ensure that they don't do that again," Satterberg added.
By "take them out of the community," Satterberg means serving real time behind bars at a juvenile detention center. He plans on asking the legislature to change the law: If a teen carries a gun, the teen gets locked up.
Satterberg hopes if teens, caught with a gun in their pocket or backpack, face real consequences for packing that weapon, they may think twice before carrying one again.
"It is only one or two seconds between holding that gun and pulling the trigger," Satterberg said.
Satterberg says he has early support for his proposal from some heavy hitters, including the state's Attorney General.
Until the law changes, the judges at juvenile courts can do little more than they already are, and that is not a very comforting position going into the start of what could be a long, hot, and violent summer.
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