YOUNG CRIMINALS: EXPOSE THEIR DEEDS TO PUBLIC SCRUTINY

The explosion in juvenile crime plaguing Missouri cries out for a reform of an antiquated state juvenile code that dates from the 1950s.

An overhaul bill is a top priority for both Gov. Mel Carnahan and lawmakers in both houses of the General Assembly. House Bill 174 is that measure, and as the General Assembly heads into its final week, it is in a House-Senate conference committee charged with ironing out differences in the versions approved by each chamber. Although time is short, plenty of it remains to gain final approval on this crucial measure.

A key issue is whether and under what circumstances records are open to public scrutiny. In this respect the proposal doesn't go far enough. Juvenile judges will still enjoy complete discretion to open or close records. Lawmakers who wanted to open the records lost out to those who want to retain the status quo.

No change in the law will do more to bring about the changes the public demands than opening up juvenile records to public scrutiny. Lawmakers should keep that principle uppermost in the harried deliberations of their session's final week. If they don't achieve more openness, the main chance will have been missed, and the attempt will need to be made again next year.

Opening up juvenile records are a companion to legislation that also would allow children of any age to stand trial as adults when they commit serious crimes. This part of the bill needs final action.

Originally, the House passed a version of the bill that would allow children to stand trial as adults for any serious crimes. But the Senate revised that language to permit juveniles to be charged as adults only for seven serious crimes: first- and second-degree murder, first-degree assault and robbery, rape, sodomy and drug distribution.

In addition, the Senate version would allow juveniles who commit three or more crimes classified as felonies to be tried as adults.

All of these proposals are an effort to deal with the explosion of serious juvenile crime, much of it brought on by gangs and drugs. Unfortunately, it is an all too clear sign of the changed times.