More teens in Augusta are committing crimes and a Juvenile Judge
say most of them have something in common.

Some judges say keeping them in school could prevent some crimes.

In March 2008 Roosevelt Cowins was killed at the Augusta home he shared with his sister. Investigators say his killer is a 12-year-old boy and a middle school dropout.

Juvenile Judge Bill Sams says the 12 year old's case is just one of several crimes committed by teens this year.

In 2007, 4,000 criminal acts were committed by teens in Augusta. Another judge estimates 80 percent of all crimes in Augusta are committed by school dropouts.

"When you see a child having problems with reading or math we can't wait until that child is 13, 14, or 15," said Sams.

At least three high-profile violent crimes in Augusta this year involved teenagers. Two of them were school dropouts.

In Georgia it's legal to dropout of school on your 16th birthday. One judge in Augusta says that age should be raised.