We just completed a certification hearing on a now 17yoa juvenile who at age 16 and 9 months committed armed robbery and attempted robbery one week later(we caught him preparing to enter the store). Four of the five licensed/qualified witnesses stated not enough time to rehabilitate before 18. The judge chose not to make a finding and announced that on October 15th he would make a certification decision.
Has anyone else encountered this situation? I cannot find any case law on point, but the intent of the statute seems to be that in the interest of justice the state shall timely pursue certification and the court shall make a decision.