New York’s Raise the Age law conceals the identity of most 16 and 17-year-olds charged with crimes. That’s because many of the crimes get settled in family court or the youth part of criminal court, and those records get sealed too. The intent of the law, according to the state’s website, is to stop unfairly punishing youth offenders, and allow them to get the help and services they need to re-integrate into their communities.