A state task force met for the first time Wednesday to look at how North Carolina could raise its juvenile age to include 16-and 17-year-olds.

The state Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, which hosted the task force meeting, said North Carolina and New York are the only two states that try everyone over 15 years old as adults in the court system for all offenses.

If the law were to change, officials said those 16-and 17-year-olds charged with murder, rape and armed robbery would still be tried as adults.

Advocates said the juvenile system is a better alternative for 16-and 17-year-olds because they can be given more comprehensive and personalized attention.

"Treating juveniles in a system that's developmentally appropriate for them is what will reduce recidivism rates and will lead to better outcomes for the children," said Brandy Bynum with Action for Children North Carolina.

Opponents of changing the state law said more teenagers are committing serious crimes, and said they should be tried and punished as adults.

Wake County District Attorney Colon Willoughby also said the current juvenile system is overloaded and not equipped to handle more cases.

"This legislation will make protecting the public from these offenders much more expensive and much more cumbersome," he said.

The task force, which includes state department heads, counselors, attorneys and law enforcement, will meet every other month and will issue a final recommendation to the state Legislature by January 2011 on the costs and other issues associated with changing the law.

Any change will need approval from the General Assembly.