People in Charlotte gathered Saturday to discuss changes to who is classified as an adult in the criminal justice system.
North Carolina law says 16 and 17-year-olds are considered adults in the court system.
This summer lawmakers changed that, classifying them as juveniles.
But the law doesn't go into effect until 2019.
On Saturday, the Campaign for Youth Justice helped spread that message in Charlotte.
"It's really critically important that you understand what your rights are, what the rights of your child are and you identify services and programs that you can support them so they don't end up in the adult criminal justice system, because the adult system is no place for a child," said Campign for Youth Justice Policy Director Jeree Thomas.
Violent felonies and some drug offenses will still be handled in adult court, under the new state law.