SALT LAKE CITY — A new bill in the Utah State Legislature would prohibit the prosecution of children under 13, except in cases of serious crimes.
House Bill 262, sponsored by Rep. Craig Hall, R-West Valley City, would ban incarcerating or prosecution of children under 13, but allow for it in cases involving aggravated sexual assault, robbery and murder.
Rep. Hall told FOX 13 on Thursday that Utah is one of the few states with no minimum age for prosecution.
"Instead of spending the money to prosecute and to jail these young children, the resources would be better spent educating and helping these individuals so that they can become good members of society," he said.
The bill was introduced in the Utah State Legislature on Thursday.
