Opinion ID: 891659
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Purpose of the Amenability Hearing

Text: {35} Our interpretation of legislative intent is also supported by the primary purpose of the Act, which is consistent with the protection of the public interest, to remove from children committing delinquent acts the adult consequences of criminal behavior, but to still hold children committing delinquent acts accountable for their actions to the extent of the child's age, education, mental and physical condition, background and all other relevant factors. Section 32A-2-2(A). Thus, unlike the adult criminal justice system, with its focus on punishment and deterrence, the juvenile justice system reflects a policy favoring the rehabilitation and treatment of children. State v. Jose S., 2007-NMCA-146, ¶ 16, 142 N.M. 829, 171 P.3d 768. {36} The potential consequences flowing from a juvenile disposition clearly evince the Legislature's consistent intent to protect children, if at all possible, from the adult consequences of criminal behavior. For example, instead of being convicted and sentenced like an adult, a delinquent child is adjudicated and receives a disposition that shall not be deemed a conviction of crime. Section 32A-2-18(A); see also, e.g., 1917 N.M. Laws, ch. 4, § 5 (providing that an adjudication of juvenile delinquency cannot be deemed a conviction of crime). Similarly, a juvenile disposition does not carry with it any of the civil disabilities ordinarily resulting from conviction of a crime and cannot operate to disqualify the child in any civil service application or appointment. Section 32A-2-18(A). The Legislature also severely curtailed the admissibility in a subsequent proceeding of a juvenile disposition and any evidence offered against a child in a juvenile hearing. See id. (stating that a juvenile disposition and supporting evidence can only be used in sentencing proceedings after the conviction of a felony for the purpose of a presentence study and report). {37} Similarly, Section 32A-2-19 delimits the court's authority and discretion to hold a child accountable after being adjudicated delinquent. The court may impose a fine, order the child to pay restitution, or place the child on probation. Section 32A-2-19(B). The court may also transfer legal custody of the child to an agency responsible for the care and rehabilitation of delinquent children for commitment to a facility for the care and rehabilitation of adjudicated delinquent children for a period of up to two years that can be extended year-by-year until the child's twenty-first birthday. Section 32A-2-19(B)(1)(a); see also § 32A-2-23(D), (E) (allowing prior to expiration of long-term commitment or judgment of probation, as provided in Section 32A-2-19, the court may extend for additional year until child reaches 21 if it finds necessary). These measures reflect the Legislature's intent to insulate delinquent children from the potentially life-long consequences under the adult criminal justice system that may flow from a bad decision. Cf. Roper v. Simmons, 543 U.S. 551, 570, 125 S.Ct. 1183, 161 L.Ed.2d 1 (2005) ([T]he relevance of youth as a mitigating factor derives from the fact that the signature qualities of youth are transient; as individuals mature, the impetuousness and recklessness that may dominate in younger years can subside. (Internal quotation marks and citation omitted.)). {38} The amenability hearing is the sole device provided by the Legislature to determine whether, for a specific youthful offender, the above-mentioned consequences can be effective. The finding of non-amenability is the trigger for the court's authority to sentence a youthful offender as an adult. See Muniz, 2003-NMSC-021, ¶ 16, 134 N.M. 152, 74 P.3d 86. The finding gives the court the discretion to impose the adult consequences of criminal behavior on a child who would be otherwise exempt from adult punishment. Section 32A-2-2(A). Put another way, the finding of non-amenability gives the court the necessary leverage to dislodge a youthful offender from the protective dispositional scheme of the Delinquency Act.