Accused juveniles may receive a little more wiggle room depending on their age.

Despite not being considered “legal adults” by the majority of the country, Michigan is one of only four states to try 17-year-olds as adults. As you can imagine, getting into a sticky situation at the age before most of your peers are heading off to college isn’t the most pleasant experience. And when you live in Michigan, it’s compounded on top of the fact that you are no longer considered a juvenile by the State (even for misdemeanors).

This new bill provides a change from the status quo. To be tried in court as an adult, the new state legislation proposes that an individual must at least be 18 years old. If the crime is serious or heinous enough, the bill proposes that prosecutors would be able to use discretion when deciding whether or not to charge these teenagers as adults.

Those who support the legislation say raising the age will help young offenders looking to turn their lives around. Those who oppose the bill say their concerns are mostly with regards to funding. A similar bill was shut down two years ago because a funding plan wasn’t available. Lawmakers say they will give money back to counties if the juvenile cases are more expensive than before this new legislation.