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Prosecutors, police among those joining call for juveniles’ release
Current and former prosecutors, police and youth justice agents from outside Maryland came out this week in support of the state public defender’s call for judges to release all detained and incarcerated juveniles who do not pose an immediate threat of seriously harming someone, citing the danger that COVID-19 poses for imprisoned youngsters. In papers […]
State agencies reject public defender’s call for broad release of juveniles
The Maryland public defender’s office seeks too much in its call for judges to release all detained and incarcerated juveniles who do not pose an immediate threat of seriously harming someone, state agencies responsible for the youngsters’ safety told Maryland’s top court Wednesday as it considers ways to stanch the spread of the COVID-19 virus […]
California settles race, education discrimination case
Welcome to Monday, the 32nd anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision in Hustler Magazine Inc. v. Falwell that the First Amendment rights to free speech and press prevent public figures from collecting damages for intentional infliction of emotional distress based on parodies of them. Here are some news items for the start of the week. […]
Juvenile justice, parole reform needed, analyst tells Senate panel
ANNAPOLIS — Juvenile justice and parole reform are needed to cure a Maryland prison system in which inmates are serving overly long sentences for crimes they committed as young adults, a justice policy analyst told a Senate panel Thursday. Marc Schindler, executive director of the Justice Policy Institute, pressed for raising the age of offenders […]
Md. court: ‘Individualized’ sentencing not needed for juvenile lifers with parole
Maryland judges can sentence juveniles convicted of murder to life in prison with the chance for parole without first considering the killer’s youth and related circumstances, the state’s second-highest court has ruled. Such individualized considerations are required only before a judge sentences a juvenile to the state’s ultimate punishment — life without parole – because […]
Juvenile justice reform at top of 2019 General Assembly agenda
The 2019 Maryland General Assembly session could become the year of the child in the areas of criminal justice and cyberbullying. Leaders of the legislature’s judiciary panels list reform of the juvenile justice system and the prevention of online harassment of youngsters as top priorities for the 90-day session that begins Jan. 9. Though perennially […]
Commutation for killers draws diverse reactions
Welcome to Monday, the 25th anniversary of the television premiere of “The X-Files.” Here are some news items to get your week started. — California Gov. Jerry Brown draws praise and scorn for commuting 20 murderers’ sentences. — Trump’s legal team forgoes legal claim against Stormy Daniels. — Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s administration was tardy [&[...]
Public defender: Juvenile gun possession should not be adult charge
ANNAPOLIS – The Maryland public defender’s office Wednesday urged the General Assembly to pass legislation barring children from being charged as adults for gun offenses unless they actually used the weapon in a violent crime, saying the juvenile justice system must recognize the vulnerability of youth. Under current law, juveniles may be charged as adults […]
Md. court distinguishes playing with matches, attempted arson
Saying the boy was essentially just playing with matches, a Maryland appeals court has overturned a finding that the youngster was involved in attempted arson in a Salisbury neighborhood. The boy – identified in court papers as David P. – lacked the “specific intent to willfully and maliciously set fire” to a person’s home, as […]
Juvenile strip-search bill draws public defenders’ praise, guards’ scorn
Legislation to limit strip searches of juvenile inmates drew praise from civil libertarians but scorn from the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services.
