“RAISE THE AGE” LAW
PUTS TEENS ON NOTICE
By Cash Michaels
Contributing writer
As of Sunday, December 1st, young people ages 16 to 17 years of age face stiffer criminal penalties in the state of North Carolina, thanks to the new “Raise Your Age” law.
Those teenagers who commit serious felonies will immediately be charged as adults under the new law. It is a tool to help local police departments combat serious teenage crime that has lately been on the rise, including assaults, armed robberies, and shootings.
When the teen suspects appear in courts, they will immediately be treated and charged as adult suspects, law enforcement officials say.
The new law passed by veto override last week.
"I remain concerned that this new law would keep some children from getting treatment they need while making communities less safe." Gov. Cooper wrote when he vetoed the measure.
Supporters counter that juvenile justice cases are mounting for area prosecutors to the point where putting many of these cases immediately in the adult criminal justice system cuts red tape and makes sense, thus easing their case loads.
House bill 834 formally states, “AN ACT TO MODIFY THE DEFINITION OF DELINQUENT JUVENILE, TO MODIFY THE TRANSFER PROCESS FOR INDICTED JUVENILE CASES, TO CREATE A NEW PROCESS TO REMOVE A CASE TO JUVENILE COURT, TO MAKE CHANGES TO SCHOOL USE OF INFORMATION, TO MAKE SECURE CUSTODY HEARING CHANGES, TO MAKE TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS, TO MAKE CHANGES TO CERTAIN DISPOSITIONAL ALTERNATIVES, AND TO INCREASE THE PUNISHMENT FOR AN ADULT TO SOLICIT A MINOR TO COMMIT A CRIME AND TO MODIFY THE NUMBER OF DAYS FOR REQUEST FOR REVIEW BY A PROSECUTOR.
The law defines juvenile delinquent as a. Any juvenile who, while less than 16 years of age but at least 10 years of age, commits a crime or infraction under State law or under an ordinance of local government, including violation of the motor vehicle laws, or who commits indirect contempt by a juvenile as defined in G.S. 5A-31.
And… a. Any juvenile who, while less than 18 years of age but at least 16 years of age, commits a crime or an infraction under State law or under an ordinance of local government, excluding the offenses in sub-sub-subdivisions 1. and 2. of this sub-subdivision, or who commits indirect contempt by a juvenile as defined in G.S. 5A-31. Offenses excluded from the definition of delinquent juvenile when committed while less than 18 years of age but at least 16 years of age include the following:
1. All violations of the motor vehicle laws under Chapter 20 of the General Statutes.
2. Any offense punishable as a Class A, B1, B2, C, D, or E felony if committed by an adult, together with any offense based on the same act or transaction or on a series of acts or transactions connected together or constituting parts of a single scheme or plan of that offense, and any greater or lesser included offense of that offense.
a. Any juvenile who, while less than 10 years of age but at least 8 years of age, commits a Class A, B1, B2, C, D, E, F, or G felony under State law.
b. Any juvenile who, while less than 10 years of age but at least 8 years of age, commits a crime or an infraction under State law or under an ordinance of local government, including violation of the motor vehicle laws, and has been previously adjudicated delinquent."
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COULD LAND LEASE DEAL
WITH FLA. SPORTS GROUP
SAVE ST. AUGUSTINES U?
By Cash Michaels
Contributing writer
Just when supporters of St. Augustine’s University (SAU) were reeling from reports of a $7 million loan deal with a reportedly outrageous interest rate that could cost the historically Black institution much of its property, comes word of a lease agreement that could be the salvation SAU needs to satisfy its debts.
Just before the Thanksgiving holiday, SAU announced that it would lease some of the property it owns to 50 Plus 1 Sports, a Florida-based mixed use and sports venue development company, “to tackle its financial challenges head-on.”
50 Plus 1 Sports is a two-year old South Florida company that reportedly requires at least half “minority and women participation” in its financed projects.
SAU signed a letter of intent with the company on November 17th.
According to audit documents from the St. Augustine's University Real Estate Foundation, SAU will lease “certain real estate” to 50 Plus 1 Sports for 99 years, and split revenue from any joint projects. There’s a 65% - 35% arrangement for the first 15 years of the lease with 50 Plus 1 Sports taking a lion’s share of the revenues.
The land-lease deal is expected to raise $70 million for SAU, with 50 Plus 1 Sports paying SAU $60 million in just a few weeks, and then an additional $10 million by June 2025
“This agreement marks a pivotal moment for SAU as we embrace a bold vision for future growth,” SAU Board of Trustees Chairman Brian Boulware said in a news release. “We are excited to collaborate with 50 Plus 1 Sports, a proactive and dynamic partner, and it’s team of global investment partners, to deliver long-lasting benefits to our students, faculty, and the amazing Raleigh community.”
Boulware’s statement continued, “Together, we’re building a future that solidifies SAU’s role as a cornerstone of this city.”
The company expressed confidence in the SAU deal as well.
“We are absolutely thrilled to come to Raleigh and partner with Saint Augustine’s University, local developers, and community leaders in this incredible city,” said 50 Plus 1 Sports President and CEO Monti Valrie. “This collaboration underscores our commitment to creating projects that resonate with the community, enhance local opportunities, and establish meaningful relationships within the business ecosystem.”
There is still much not known about the SAU-50 Plus 1 Sports land-lease deal, and how it can specifically help SAU out of its mounting vendor debts, federal government tax liens, and lawsuits from former employees.
The school has already made drastic cuts to its staff, and reduced its student enrollment to just 200 students from a once healthy over 1500.
The $7 million loan from a venture capital group in Durham was supposed to help alleviate some of the financial burden, until school supporters took a closer look at the terms.
Secured last May, the loan reportedly required SAU to pay a 24% interest rate and 2% loan management fee, in addition to a $75,000 “due diligence and documentation fee.”
As collateral, SAU had to put up its main Raleigh campus, and at least 40 other pieces of property on more than 11 acres around the SAU campus. If the school defaults on the loan, which comes due on June 30, 2025, those properties are forfeited to Gothic Ventures, the loan company.
SAU reportedly has the right to extend the maturity date of the loan until December 31, 2025, and can secure up to $30 million in total.
How the new 50 plus I Sports lease agreement now affects the Gothic Ventures loan, remains to be seen.
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