The debate over youth crime and what to do about it featured heavily in this year’s Maryland General Assembly. One of the more prominent bills to come out of the session that ended last week makes a slew of changes to the state’s juvenile justice system.
Among the most controversial parts of the bill expands the list of crimes with which a child between 10 and 12 years old can be charged. Current law allows prosecutors charge these children with violent crimes, including murder, rape, assault and carjacking. The legislation adds several misdemeanor gun offenses, as well as animal cruelty and third-degree sex offenses.
“We create a carve out for 10 to 12 year olds, where they may not be detained,” Del. Luke Clippinger, chair of the House Judiciary Committee, said in a recent interview. “However, detention is a term of art, and they could potentially see community detention, which could be electronic home monitoring or other programming closer to where they live.”
The legislation creates a different process for children between 10 and 12 years old who are accused of car theft. In those circumstances, the Department of Juvenile Services would be required to file a CINS petition, which stands for Children In Need of Supervision. With a judge’s approval, the child would receive DJS services and in some cases may be removed from their home.
Read more (and listen) at WYPR.
