Gov. Moore pressed on juvenile justice reforms as calls for change grow

MARYLAND (WBFF) — Calls for juvenile justice reform are growing louder in Maryland, and now Gov. Wes Moore says he agrees that changes are needed.

The comments come just days after Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, Police Commissioner Richard Worley and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates stood together to declare Maryland’s juvenile justice system is “broken” following the takedown of an alleged violent juvenile crime ring.

The governor, however, has not said what specific changes he believes are necessary or whether he is willing to call lawmakers back to Annapolis before a controversial new juvenile justice law takes effect Oct. 1.

Speaking on WBAL Radio with host T.J. Smith, Moore said he agrees with Baltimore leaders that the state’s juvenile justice laws should be reevaluated. “I agree with the police commissioner and the mayor and the state’s attorney that all of our juvenile laws, and all of our laws, period, have to be pressure tested, and to figure out what works,” Moore said.

The renewed debate follows the arrest of five juveniles — ranging in age from 15 to 17 — accused of participating in what investigators described as a violent crime ring responsible for armed robberies, carjackings and a murder.

State’s Attorney Ivan Bates argued the case highlights broader problems within Maryland’s juvenile justice system. “The severity of these allegations demands response that prioritizes accountability, public safety and justice for victims,” Bates said.

Bates also noted the timing of the arrests is significant.

Because the charges were filed before Oct. 1, the juvenile defendants will begin their cases in adult criminal court. Had similar charges been filed after Oct. 1, many of those cases would instead begin in juvenile court under the Youth Charging Reform Act.

Gov. Moore signed that legislation into law earlier this year despite opposition from prosecutors across Maryland. The law eliminates the automatic charging of juveniles as adults for certain offenses, including first-degree assault and some weapons and drug crimes. Instead, those cases will begin in juvenile court, where prosecutors can ask a judge to transfer eligible cases to adult court.

Supporters of the law argued it reflects what is already happening in many cases, noting that a significant number of juveniles initially charged as adults are ultimately transferred back to juvenile court.

Opponents counter that the change could place additional strain on a juvenile justice system they say is already struggling with limited space, programming and resources. In Baltimore, police and prosecutors have repeatedly voiced frustration over arresting many of the same juvenile offenders multiple times. Among those critics was Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Tara Jackson, who warned lawmakers before the bill passed, “Automatically sending children to a system that doesn’t work now, that we know doesn’t work now, is not the answer. Fix the system first.”

While Moore acknowledged concerns about the current system, he stopped short of endorsing the calls from Baltimore leaders to overhaul it. “I do believe there are systemic structural changes that need to happen,” Moore said during the radio interview.

The governor did not specify what those changes would be. Considering the renewed concerns, on Monday, FOX45 sent Moore’s office the following questions:

Do you agree with Mayor Scott and State’s Attorney Bates that Maryland’s juvenile justice system is broken?

What is your response to their concerns that repeat violent juvenile offenders are cycling through the system without adequate accountability?

Do these new arrests change your view at all of the Youth Charging Reform Act or its implementation?

Are you considering calling a special session of the General Assembly to revisit Maryland’s juvenile justice laws before the Youth Charging Reform Act takes effect? If not, why not?

What specific reforms, if any, does your administration plan to pursue to address concerns being raised by prosecutors and law enforcement across the state?

As of the time this article was posted, we have not heard back.