DENVER – The state Senate gave juvenile criminals something of a break on Thursday, despite an outcry from Republican legislators who said doing so would weaken the justice system.

The Senate considered a measure that would increase the age of juveniles who can be charged as adults for certain violent crimes from 14 to 16. It would also alter justice system rules to increase the likelihood that teens would be sent to juvenile court, instead of adult court. Prosecutors could still charge juveniles as adults, but only for extreme cases, such as murder or violent sex crimes. The process is called direct file.

Sen. Steve King, R-Grand Junction, slammed the Senate podium repeatedly during the three-hour-long debate, saying the measure would give juvenile criminals more leniency than they deserve.

King, a former law enforcement officer, brought in a large picture of a robbery, taken from a security camera. It showed a hooded crook holding a gun to the head of store clerk during a holdup.“We hear a lot about the criminal and their family. What about the victim? What about their family?” King nearly shouted at the assembly.

Democratic Sen. Mike Johnston, D-Denver, teamed up with Senate Republicans in an attempt to amend the bill, and put more responsibility on defendants while keeping the age at 14. The amendment also would, among other things, have insulated juvenile suspects from district attorney pressure to take plea deals. The amendment failed, albeit by a single vote.

Senate Majority Leader John Morse, D-Colorado Springs, defended the measure. He said the bill would restore the intent of the juvenile justice system.

“The juvenile system was designed for juveniles, unless they commit really serious crimes,” Morse said. “So let’s use it for juveniles.”

Colorado Springs Republicans denounced the bill as a public threat.

“What we had is a system that lets juveniles know how seriously we take these crimes,” said Sen. Keith King, R-Colorado Springs. “This sends the wrong message, that we’re going to give them rights and privileges they didn’t have before, and that they shouldn’t have.”

Sen. Kent Lambert, R-Colorado Springs, predicted that the Legislature would revisit the issue.

It’s not clear whether Gov. John Hickenlooper plans to sign the bill.

—Contact John Schroyer: 476-4825 Twitter @Johnschroyer Facebook Gazette John Schroyer

Prized pitching prospect Drew Pomeranz was selected Thursday for the 25-man roster of the Sky Sox, the No. 5 starter for the Rockies after going 3-0 with an 0.53 ERA in spring training. If Pomeranz doesn’t receive a start in the next three games at Reno, he’ll start on a four-game trip to Tacoma, since the Rockies won’t need him to pitch until April 15. Photo by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Chris Carlson