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North Carolina is one of only three states that treats 16- and 17-year-olds charged with crimes as adults. A bill once again introduced in the legislature would send them to juvenile courts.

While the bill deserves support, it's appropriate that some teens accused of serious crimes be tried in an adult courtroom. Fortunately, state law already addresses that concern. Suspects as young as 13 charged with particularly violent felonies can be treated as adults. That flexibility is critical.

Equally significant is acknowledging that differences do exist between teens and their older peers. Neurological research studies have found that they're more likely to make a rash decision because their brains aren't as mature as those of adults.

In other legal areas, the state concurs. For example, teens can't serve on juries. Nor can they legally purchase alcohol or tobacco products. Their driving privileges are limited.

Only North Carolina and New York prosecute 16- and 17-year-olds as adults. The latter allows some exceptions, however. Connecticut will phase out the antiquated practice by 2010.

Change advocates say offenders under 18 shouldn't be incarcerated with older inmates, but that seldom happens here. Corrections officials say, with few exceptions, young male offenders 13 to 22 are held at the Western Correctional Center in Morganton.

Yet the state's juvenile court system, which relies heavily on counseling and community-based organizations, may offer an alternative to any incarceration. And that reduces recidivism and reduces prison overcrowding.

Support for raising the age to 18 isn't unanimous. Law enforcement and some prosecutors frown on coddling teens who commit adult crimes, adding that punishment should fit the offense -- no matter who commits it. But state statistics reveal that more than 85 percent of crimes committed by 16- and 17-year-olds are misdemeanors.

Another consideration is financial. If juvenile courts take on higher case-loads, they must be accompanied by additional funding. Community alternative organizations also will need more money, some of it from the state.

There's a delicate balance between punishment and rehabilitation. Above all, the state must be able to try minors in adult courts, but that decision should come on a case-by-case basis.

At the same time, the state's juvenile corrections system may be better equipped to deal more effectively with young offenders. That's important because youthful indiscretions result in permanent criminal records that adversely affect lives for years.

Back in 1919, state legislators, for reasons unknown, set the age for being tried in an adult court at 16. Ninety years later, it's time for an update.