

Its more than that
I assisted on research when I was an undergrad that consistently showed simply trying a juvenile as an adult meant they were far more likely to be convicted
I am sure the state is well aware of this effect and wants to make it easier to increase conviction rates
https://bjs.ojp.gov/library/publications/juveniles-charged-adult-criminal-courts-2014
“At case disposition, 65% of persons ages 12 to 17 charged with a felony in adult criminal courts were convicted, compared to 25% of persons charged with a misdemeanor.”
First thing I found that wasn’t mock trials. I’m hesitant to link the research I was involved on because my name is attached but fwiw my research was mock trials.