“When I was 17…it was a very good year…”
Frank Sinatra may have had a good one, but in my experience, 17 is a very stressful year. As a local high school teacher, I worked with about 1800 teenagers over the years, and I’ve seen many emotions come through my classroom door in that time.
Dozens of breakups, failed tests, family issues, broken friendships and health problems. Dozens of college rejections, substance abuse concerns and moments of self-loathing.
These 17-year-olds are not adults. They can’t vote or buy a lotto ticket or serve on a jury. But in our state, they are automatically tried as adults in our criminal justice system. Regardless of the crime.
Contrary to popular belief, teenagers aren’t all entitled, disconnected, SnapChatting narcissists. Not in my experience, anyway. They’re kids and they’re figuring out their world. As they do this, they make mistakes and bad choices. Lots of them. From cheating on a test to cheating on a boyfriend. From sharing a private text message to stealing a phone charger. Driving while drinking, selling pot, starting a fight. And they face real legal consequences—even lifelong—for a lot of these actions.
Kids should face consequences, but those consequences should be age-appropriate.
A major fight broke out recently at a Lansing area high school. Teachers know well what it’s like to come between kids who can’t control their anger. Remember, teenagers’ brains aren’t fully developed, and the last part of our brains to fully form is the frontal lobe – the part that controls our judgment, impulses and emotions. That’s why kids need adult supervision, even at age 17. As the adult in the room, we’re there to help them take a breath and consider the consequences.
In that incident, there were 30 suspensions. Four students were arrested for fighting. And one girl was a 17-year-old who will be charged in adult court.
I don’t know her, but I suspect she didn’t leave for school that morning with the intention of disrupting her entire life; data shows that when kids are involved with crime, they’re more likely to be acting in the moment, without premeditation. This girl won’t have a chance to learn her lesson despite the fact that she’s legally a child. While her friends are worrying about the SAT, she’s facing a lifetime of consequences. Based on an impulsive action, she may carry an adult criminal record or even serve jail time. At 17.
You don’t need to be a teacher, a parent, or a public policy advocate to understand why Michigan should raise the age of juvenile jurisdiction to 18. All you have to do is remember what it was like to be 17. Think of the things you did that you regret, things your parents, teachers or the police never found about. Then think about how different your life would be if you had ended up in the adult criminal justice system because of those mistakes.
But there’s something we can do. There’s a bipartisan package of bills to raise the age of juvenile jurisdiction from 17 to 18. The bills passed out of House committee this week, but the clock is ticking to get them passed before the end of lame duck. Time is running out, so please contact your state representatives and senators today.
17-year-olds are still learning. I know because I taught them. Let’s raise the age and do what we can to help kids learn from their mistakes, not pay for them for the rest of their lives. Dec 2, 2018 – Lansing State Journal
Jay Cutler joined the League in March 2026 as the Kids Count Senior Data Analyst, where he collects, analyzes, and prepares data for Kids Count in Michigan.
Danielle Taylor-Basemore joined the League as the Development Data and Stewardship Coordinator in June 2025. She brings with her five years of nonprofit experience with a special focus on community engagement, data visualization and strategic programming. Prior to joining the League, Danielle served as the Business District, Safety, and Digital Manager at Jefferson East, Inc.
Scott Preston is a Senior Policy Analyst with the Michigan League for Public Policy, where he leads the organization’s immigration and criminal justice reform portfolios. In the three years prior to joining the League, Scott facilitated the Southeast Michigan Refugee Collaborative and managed a small business economic development program at Global Detroit. His work included launching Michigan’s first Refugee Film Festival and building on a trusted connector model that linked marginalized communities with crucial resources. Scott’s work at the League is informed by his background in journalism and research. He spent four years covering the Syrian refugee crisis in the Middle East for publications such as The Economist, and later worked with unaccompanied refugee minors through Samaritas. Scott holds a master’s degree in international migration and public policy from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Kate Powers joined the League as the Chief Development Officer in February 2025. Prior to joining the League, Kate held leadership positions at many Michigan nonprofit organizations, most recently serving as the COO and Chief Development Officer of Ele’s Place. Kate has spent the bulk of her career in fundraising, with a short stint in the state Legislature as a legislative aide to members in both chambers. Kate is a graduate of Michigan State University’s James Madison College with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Relations and has a certificate in fundraising management from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. Additionally, Kate served on the East Lansing Public Schools Board of Education and is a past President of the Junior League of Lansing. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband and her son and saving outfit of the day and home decor ideas on Pinterest. 
Nicholas Hess joined the League as the Fiscal Policy Analyst in September of 2024. In this role, Nicholas focuses on tax policy, government revenue, and their impact on working families and racial equity, including the effects of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC). Nicholas values the role that judicious fiscal policy can play in the improvement of people’s lives and the economy, alleviating inequities along the way.
Audrey Matusz joined the League as the Visual Communications Specialist in September 2024. She supports the team with implementing social media strategies and brainstorming creative ways to talk about public policy. She brings with her nearly a decade of experience in producing digital products for evidence-based social justice initiatives. 
Jacob Kaplan 
Donald Stuckey 
Alexandra Stamm 
Amari Fuller
Mikell Frey is a communications professional with a passion for using the art of storytelling to positively impact lives. She strongly believes that positive social change can be inspired by the sharing of data-driven information coupled with the unique perspectives of people from all walks of life across Michigan, especially those who have faced extraordinary barriers. 
Yona Isaacs (she/hers) is an Early Childhood Data Analyst for the Kids Count project. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience at the University of Michigan, she began her career as a research coordinator in pediatric psychiatry using data to understand the impacts of brain activity and genetics on children’s behavior and mental health symptoms. This work prompted an interest in exploring social determinants of health and the role of policy in promoting equitable opportunities for all children, families, and communities. She returned to the University of Michigan to complete her Masters in Social Work focused on Social Policy and Evaluation, during which she interned with the ACLU of Michigan’s policy and legislative team and assisted local nonprofit organizations in creating data and evaluation metrics. She currently serves as a coordinator for the Michigan Center for Youth Justice on a project aiming to increase placement options and enhance cultural competency within the juvenile justice system for LGBTQIA+ youth. Yona is eager to put her data skills to work at the League in support of data-driven policies that advocate for equitable access to healthcare, education, economic security, and opportunity for 0-5 year old children. In her free time, she enjoys tackling DIY house projects and trying new outdoor activities with her dog.
Rachel Richards rejoined the League in December 2020 as the Fiscal Policy Director working on state budget and tax policies. Prior to returning to the League, she served as the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Michigan Department of Treasury, the tax policy analyst and Legislative Director for the Michigan League for Public Policy, and a policy analyst and the Appropriations Coordinator for the Democratic Caucus of the Michigan House of Representatives. She brings with her over a decade of experience in policies focused on economic opportunity, including workforce issues, tax, and state budget.
Simon Marshall-Shah joined the Michigan League for Public Policy as a State Policy Fellow in August 2019. His work focuses on state policy as it relates to the budget, immigration, health care and other League policy priorities. Before joining the League, he worked in Washington, D.C. at the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), providing federal policy and advocacy support to nonprofit, Medicaid health plans (Safety Net Health Plans) related to the ACA Marketplaces as well as Quality & Operations.
Renell Weathers, Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP) Community Engagement Consultant. As community engagement consultant, Renell works with organizations throughout the state in connecting the impact of budget and tax policies to their communities. She is motivated by the belief that all children and adults deserve the opportunity to achieve their dreams regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or economic class.
Emily Jorgensen joined the Michigan League for Public Policy in July 2019. She deeply cares about the well-being of individuals and families and has a great love for Michigan. She is grateful that her position at the League enables her to combine these passions and work to help promote policies that will lead to better opportunities and security for all Michiganders.
Megan Farnsworth joined the League’s staff in December 2022 as Executive Assistant. Megan is driven by work that is personally fulfilling, and feels honored to help support the work of an organization that pushes for more robust programming and opportunities for the residents of our state. She’s excited and motivated to gain overarching knowledge of the policies and agendas that the League supports.
