North Carolina is one of only two states that send all 16-year-old offenders to adult courts, rather than the juvenile justice system. State lawmakers are considering a proposal to shift those charged with misdemeanors away from the adult court system.

They heard some support for the cause today during the John Locke Foundation’s Shaftesbury Society meeting. Marc Levin, director of the Center for Effective Justice at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, highlighted research that suggests the juvenile justice system works much better for 16-year-old offenders.

In the video clip below, Levin explains that this finding fits with a general reassessment of criminal justice issues among conservatives.

Click play below to watch the full 50:55 event.

You’ll find other John Locke Foundation video presentations here.