State ex rel. V.A.

More than a decade ago, the Legislature amended N.J.S.A. 2A:4A-26 to facilitate waiver of complaints against sixteen- and seventeen-year-old juveniles charged with enumerated serious crimes into adult criminal court. Under the amended statute, these juveniles are treated uniquely by the Legislature. Younger juveniles are able to present evidence of the probability of their rehabilitation in order to defeat waiver. In contrast, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2A:4A-26 and a corresponding court rule, a juvenile who is aged sixteen or older is transferred to adult criminal court upon application of the…