Crisis In City Jails -

MARYLAND - There are growing calls for changes to Maryland's juvenile justice laws. It comes in the midst of a surge in youth gun violence, including on the Eastern Shore. It's especially something prosecutors and law enforcement locally say needs to be tackled. In 2022, the Maryland legislature approved a number of reforms – as part of the Juvenile Justice Reform Act. One key provision sets thirteen years old as the minimum age for a child to face criminal charges except in crimes of violence. Wicomico County State's Attorney Jamie Dykes says that greatly hampers the ability to investigate and prosecute crimes. The 2022 legislation has not only created more victims in terms of children are shooting children on the street, but it has in fact made victims of children by recruiting them to engage in the criminal activity,“ she said. “In our elementary schools, we have baby Bloods and baby Crips. It is trending in a direction because our legislature has ma