ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, April 10, 1996 TAG: 9604100052
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ROBERT LITTLE STAFF WRITER
VIRGINIA'S OVERHAUL of the way the state deals with juveniles accused of violent crimes was signed into law Tuesday.
A system of justice designed to treat more teen-age criminals as adults, keep them in jail longer and foster more rehabilitation was signed into law Tuesday by Gov. George Allen.
The ceremonial finish capped a yearlong effort by two legislative committees, which produced a juvenile justice package remarkable not just in its scope but also in its ability to attract bipartisan support.
The changes were hailed by Allen as the final payoff in Virginia's efforts to reduce crime, an endeavor that began two years ago with the abolition of parole.
Among the changes, which affect crimes committed after July 1:
Anyone 14 or older accused of a violent felony such as murder or aggravated malicious wounding will automatically be tried and sentenced as an adult.
Juveniles 14 and older accused of rape, armed robbery, carjacking and other violent crimes can be tried as adults at the prosecutor's request.
Court proceedings and documents in juvenile cases involving violent crimes will be open to the public.
Judges will get more sentencing options, including boot camps and expanded rehabilitation programs. Plans to create alternative schools for delinquents are still developing.
The changes moved easily through the legislature this year, despite criticism that few violent offenders would actually be affected. Most teens charged with murder already are tried in adult court.
Allen called Virginia's current law, which lets judges decide whether to treat juveniles as adults, a "blissful old justice system designed for a bygone era."
"The crimes committed by today's juvenile criminals are far more serious than stealing hubcaps or skipping school," he said.
Among the rainy-day crowd that packed the first-floor gathering area in the Governor's Mansion on Tuesday were Jerome and Dearvon Bowens. The Norfolk couple's son, Tyvon Threatt Bowens, was killed by a 14-year-old boy in 1993.
The killer, tried as a juvenile, received the maximum sentence - he will be released from jail when he turns 21. Under the laws Allen signed Tuesday, the killer would have been tried and sentenced as an adult.
"This adds some hope," said Jerome Bowens, who attended with his wife at the governor's request.
"We can go home now and tell the rest of our family that the justice system isn't working against us.'' Also in the crowd: Joseph and Juana Garcia of Virginia Beach, whose son, Joey, was killed by teenagers last year. The couple wanted his attackers tried as adults, but had to await a judge's ruling.
Kelly Dara and Joshua M. Johnson, both 18 at the time, eventually were tried as adults and received life in prison - among the first murderers sentenced under the state's no-parole policy. They will be eligible for geriatric parole at age 60.
``You are already dealing with your loss. You don't want to wait to find out if they will be tried as adults, as they should be,'' Juana Garcia said Tuesday.
``This is for other families, so they don't have to go through what we did,'' Joseph Garcia said.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
LENGTH: Medium: 71 lines KEYWORDS: GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1996by CNBRICHMOND