Snyder Signs Juvenile Justice, Foster Care Changes Into Law

LANSING (AP) — Gov. Rick Snyder has signed into law a change allowing judges to handle more juvenile crimes in informal proceedings to find what advocates say are more age-appropriate penalties for young offenders.

Letting judges divert more juveniles to a consent calendar enables the juveniles to avoid having a criminal record. Prosecutors will retain their veto power over such moves if they feel the crime is too serious.

Snyder says giving judges more flexibility will "hopefully lead to better long-term rehabilitation outcomes for our young people."

Snyder also approved bills requiring child-placing agencies to make reasonable efforts to keep siblings together in the foster care and adoption systems.

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