Concerns rights of juvenile defendants who elect to be tried as adults.

This bill (A5018) gives juveniles aged 14 or older (or younger for murder charges) the right to request being tried as adults in criminal court, subject to court approval. Before approving such a request, the court must hold a hearing to ensure the juvenile understands the differences in sentencing between juvenile and adult systems and that their decision is made knowingly and voluntarily. If approved, the case proceeds as an adult case, but the juvenile is presumed to serve any prison time in a juvenile facility until age 21, with limited exceptions for safety or age. The court may also allow the case to return to juvenile court later if it serves the juvenile's best interests and public safety.