New laws set bar higher for juveniles accused of serious crimes
BALTIMORE — New changes to Maryland juvenile justice laws took effect on Friday.
The new law makes it possible for children between the ages of 10 to 12 to be charged with illegal gun possession, auto theft, animal cruelty, and sexual offense in the third degree. Before the change, children had to be 13 to be charged with these offenses.
It also allows the state's attorney's office to review cases against young people who are under the Department of Juvenile Services' (DJS) supervision.
This comes months after Governor Wes Moore signed the Juvenile Justice Reform Act. Lawmakers introduced it earlier this year to address an increase in juvenile crime. It included forming a commission to hold the Department of Justice accountable and providing comprehensive rehabilitative support for justice-involved youth.
Transparency and Clarity
Baltimore City State's Attorney Ivan Bates said the changes bring transparency and accountability to the juvenile justice system. According to Bates, it allows his office and others to see how the Department of Juvenile Services is handling young people and it brings a wave of advantages to the State's Attorney's Office.
Ivan Bates also said documents concerning detained young people will now reach the State's Attorney's Office within two days.
"Before, the paperwork would come to our office maybe 25 days, 50 days, 75 days later," he said.
If DJS places a young person on electronic home detention and they violate the order, Bates said DJS must alert the courts, the state's attorney, and the defense attorney within 24 hours.
"That's a major change because before, DJS didn't let anybody know. So, no one in the system knew what was going on with the young person."
Additional Changes
Changes to juvenile justice laws also extend the time limits on juvenile probation, increasing a misdemeanor offense from six months to a one-year probation period.
The maximum initial probation period for a felony offense increases from one year to two years.
"Also, it gives the judges the ability to bring young people back before them when they violate their probation," Bates added.
He hopes this ends the repeat juvenile offender cycle and gives young people the necessary resources.
"Where we've circled that young person the very first time because there's a level of accountability," he said. "So, when the police make the arrest, that young person will come in and everybody will understand what's going on with this young person."
These changes come after Governor Moore announced the Commission on Juvenile Justice Reform and Emerging Best Practices will hold its first meeting on November 6th. Former Baltimore City Judge Andre Davis will serve as the commission chair.
The commission is tasked with reviewing programs to divert children from the juvenile justice system. The commission will also review and report on a number of high-priority juvenile justice policies, including the treatment and programming of females in the juvenile justice system and more.
