NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The first court appearance for Jayona Brown is set for August 22.
Prosecutors will try to convince a judge there's enough probable cause to show Brown committed a crime in the July 4th accident that took the life of Metro Officer John Anderson.
The district attorney's office has already filed for a transfer of 17-year-old Brown into the adult court system.
Before that can happen a judge will have to make a decision based on a number of considerations.
According to Craig Hargrow, Executive Deputy Director of Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth, these are the considerations:
1. What is Browns' history with the juvenile justice system?
According to Brown's lawyer, he had worked with her before in the juvenile justice system. However, it's unclear what she was charged with.
2. If the court did have prior contact with Brown, how did the she respond to her sentence?
3. Is Brown's crime against personal property or did it cause harm?
4. Was it premeditated?
5. Is there a possibility for rehabilitation?
6. Was there any gang activity?
"Accountability has to be a factor that you have to weigh," said Hargrow. "I believe that our current juvenile justice system, with the purpose of rehabilitation and treatment is designed best for youth. This individual is 17, soon to be 18. And so, I think that she would be best served by the juvenile justice system."
Hargrow said he believes too many youth are transferred into the adult system, which is focused more on punishment than rehabilitation.
