YOUTH CHARGING REFORM ACT
KIDS DON'T BELONG
IN THE ADULT SYSTEM.
Everyone benefits when kids accused of breaking the law start in the juvenile justice system — and a judge decides if they should be tried as an adult.
When a kid is placed in the juvenile justice system, they are more likely to get the resources and support they need to prevent recidivism.
WHAT THE LAW DOES
The Youth Charging Reform Act requires 16- and 17-year-olds charged with 12 offenses — including murder and carjacking — begin their cases in adult court. Current law encompasses 33 offenses. The other charges will now start in juvenile court.
This law also incorporates the full provisions of Limitations on Juvenile Contact with Incarcerated Adults, ensuring that by 2029, no youth will be held in adult jails.
The law also adds new reporting requirements to increase transparency. DJS and GOCPP must collect and share data on youth charged as adults, including case outcomes and whether youth are held in adult jails. The Commission on Juvenile Justice Reform and Emerging and Best Practices will also track implementation and publish annual reports.
WHAT THE LAW DOES NOT DO
YCRA does NOT prevent teenagers from being tried in adult court.
Prosecutors can still ask for cases to be moved from juvenile to adult court and a judge will make the final decision.
YCRA does NOT release teens charged with serious crimes back into the community.
Juvenile judges and magistrates will continue to decide, on a case-by-case basis, who is detained or released before trial.
WHY DO WE NEED YOUTH CHARGING REFORM?
YOUTH SERVED BY THE JUVENILE SYSTEM HAVE BETTER OUTCOMES
Youth transferred out of adult court and treated by the Department of Juvenile Services are up to 30% less likely to be re-incarcerated than youth under 25 who are placed in the adult system.
BETTER POLICY, MORE EFFECTIVE & SAVES MONEY
Starting juvenile cases in juvenile court saves time and money. Less than 13% of youth charged in adult court end up with an adult criminal conviction.
The automatic filing process is extremely expensive & time-consuming, costing over $20 million a year.
Research shows that providing timely, appropriate rehabilitative services to youth is associated with better outcomes, including lower recidivism, compared with extended detention or delayed support.
REDUCES CRIME & INCREASES SAFETY
Adult charging results in increased physical violence, sexual violence, and isolation. Research shows that youth charged as adults are at increased risk of physical and sexual assault and isolation from their families, which may contribute to future criminality. Reducing automatic charging of kids as adults protects kids and improves their long term outcomes.
ADDRESSES RACIAL DISPARITIES
Over 77% of youth charged in adult court in Maryland are Black.
Black youth are more likely to be sent to adult prison and receive longer sentences than their white counterparts for similar offenses.
Implicit bias research shows that Black kids are more likely to be seen and treated as adults than white kids.