Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said Tuesday he’d like to see lawmakers make juvenile gun offenders liable for felony charges and lengthen the probationary period for young offenders ahead of the state’s upcoming legislative session.
The governor didn’t introduce specific legislation addressing juvenile crime but instead piggybacked off the priorities previously discussed by top prosecutors in the state.
Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates and Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy said in December that they wanted legislators to increase probation for juveniles.
For misdemeanor gun offenders, the two prosecutors wanted probation to go from a max of six months to two years. For violent young felons, the prosecutors wanted them put on probation for up to four years instead of the current cap of two years.
The governor said he supports extending probationary periods to “give juveniles the additional time to complete necessary rehabilitation programs.”
Under Maryland law, minors can be charged with only misdemeanor gun possession. Those cases are handled by the state’s Department of Juvenile Services.
Mr. Moore seemed to echo the concerns voiced by Mr. Bates and Ms. Braveboy that the DJS isn’t seeking appropriate consequences in some cases involving minors with illegal guns.
“We need accountability for the kids that are repeatedly violating the law,” Mr. Moore said Tuesday in Annapolis. “I believe in rehabilitation, but I will not tolerate lawlessness.”
The governor announced his priorities a week after concerns with underage offenders hit a crescendo when it was revealed the head of the Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center was fired for quickly releasing violent youths.
Intake Director Chashelle Warren was let go around Christmas, according to The Baltimore Banner.
Ms. Warren was overseeing the facility when a 12-year-old and 14-year-old were accused of jumping and robbing a woman near Patterson Park in November. The two juveniles were released to their parents shortly after their arrest despite being qualified to be held.
The incident drew the attention of Baltimore’s political heavyweights, including Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson and Luke Clippinger, chairman of the House’s Judiciary Committee.
Other lawmakers pointed to changes made to juvenile crime laws in 2022 — such as children 12 and under not being allowed to be arrested for nonviolent crimes — that they say have damaged the enforcement of young offenders, particularly car thieves.
Critics have said prosecutors, police departments and legislators haven’t provided hard examples to justify revisiting those laws.
Maryland’s legislative session will begin Wednesday.
• Matt Delaney can be reached at mdelaney@washingtontimes.com.
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