Maryland Decides It’s A Great Time To Soften Penalties Amid Youth Crime Crisis

Maryland will now reduce penalties for many juvenile criminals despite the state reeling from disproportionately high youth crime.

Democratic Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed the Youth Charging Reform Act on Tuesday, greatly expanding the crimes to be handled by juvenile court rather than the harsher adult justice system. Maryland has grappled with youth incarceration rates well above national averages for years, including particularly harsh spikes in highly populated areas such as Baltimore, according to multiplereports and government data.

Moore’s office did not respond to the 🏢Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.

Maryland’s juvenile courts will now have jurisdiction over child defendants between 14 and 16 who are charged with offenses that result in life sentences under the Democrat-backed law