Report looks at Mich. incarcerated youth

LANSING (AP) - An advocacy group says 60 percent of 17-year-olds charged as adults in Michigan faced trial for nonviolent offenses and 58 percent entering the criminal justice system had no prior juvenile record. The Detroit News reports the findings are part of a report released this week by the Lansing-based Michigan Council on Crime and Delinquency. The "Youth Behind Bars" report looked at incarcerated youth from 2003 through 2013. The report comes amid debates about prison spending and whether Michigan's approach to juvenile crime works. Michelle Weemhoff, the council's associate director, says the state's juvenile justice laws present an "outdated approach." Republican state Sen. Rick Jones of Grand Ledge chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee. He says those under 18 who commit heinous acts should be prosecuted as adults. -------- Online: http://www.miccd.org. Published: Thu, Jun 12, 2014