A new bill recently passed that extended the age limitations of our state current Holmes Youthful Trainee Act (commonly referred to as HYTA or YTA). Currently HYTA status may be granted to offenders who commit crimes between the age of 17 and their 21st birthday. If eligible, HYTA allows a criminal case to become non-public, and eventually dismissed upon successful completion of a supervision period which could include probation, jail time, or both.
The new bill, that will go into effect on August 18, 2015, will expand the age limitations of HYTA, making offenders eligible up to their 24th birthday. This will allow more young people the opportunity for a “second chance” to attempt to keep certain criminal convictions off their record. The goal is to help rehabilitate young offenders through supervision, and provide them the tools they need to make better decisions and deal with underlying issues that cause them to commit crimes. HYTA supervision periods can include impulse control classes, substance abuse treatment, community service, anger management classes, and even therapy.
If you have been charged with a crime, don’t go to court alone. Contact Bommarito Law today for a free consultation, and to see if you may be eligible for special protections under the law such as HYTA.
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