DENVER (AP) – The Colorado House approved legislation that restricts prosecutors’ authority to charge juveniles as adults.

The bill that now heads to the Senate would limit district attorney’s power to charge youths as adults in only the most serious felonies, like murder. The decisions would also be reviewed by a judge.

Currently, prosecutors can charge youths as adults for more types of crimes and decisions are not reviewed by a judge.

The bill passed 45-20 on Monday.

Supporters say prosecutors have too much power and that too many juveniles are being charged for mid-level felonies. Defenders of the current system prosecutors are best equipped to make charging decisions and that there’s no evidence of abuse.

LINK: House Bill 1271

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