OMAHA, Neb. —

Starting Sept. 3, a new law takes effect that gives tougher punishments for juvenile justice cases.

LB 530 is an expansive public safety bill first introduced by state Sen. Kathleen Kauth. State Sen. Merv Riepe introduced the juvenile justice portion of the bill.

READ MORE:

The new law will decrease the minimum age at which a juvenile can be detained for a crime from 13 to 11.

Riepe said he was inspired to write the bill after speaking with Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine and Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson.

They emphasized special instances where juveniles committed high-risk crimes and were not allowed to be detained.

The law now allows officials to detain 11 to 13-year-olds if all alternative placement options have been exhausted.

The senator said that law

See Full Page