Public defenders and advocates are calling for Maryland to end the automatic adult charging of youths in the justice system.
Baltimore: Jabriera Handy shared her story about being charged as an adult at just 16. She spoke at a recent event focused on improving Maryland’s juvenile justice system.
After a family argument, her grandmother sadly passed away, leading to serious charges against Jabriera. She spent nearly a year in detention, including time in solitary confinement, before a plea deal changed her path.
Now 33, Jabriera still feels the effects of that experience, especially in crowded places. She believes every child should start in juvenile court to get the help they need.
The Office of the Public Defender is pushing to change the law so that youths aren’t automatically charged as adults. They plan to present their agenda at a rally in Annapolis soon.
Maryland is one of the states that sends a high number of teens to adult court. In 2022, about 12% of those charged as adults were convicted.
Advocates argue that the current system is inefficient and costly, with long wait times for cases. They believe that changing the law could save millions and improve juvenile services.
Public Defender Natasha Dartigue emphasized that treating children as adults contradicts what we know about youth development. She wants to see a system that recognizes their age and potential for change.
However, this push comes after recent reforms that made it easier to charge younger kids. Some advocates are hopeful that lawmakers will be braver this year in making necessary changes.
In addition to ending automatic adult charges, the public defender’s office has other priorities, like reforming parole and improving legal defense for those who can’t afford it.
Overall, the message is clear: we need to rethink how we treat our youth in the justice system to create a fairer and more effective approach.
