Some Changes In Maryland’s New Juvenile Justice Reform Law Take Effect

An  Official says they’re not about punishment but rehabilitation.Baltimore, Md (KM) Some changes to Maryland’s new juvenile justice reform law took effect Friday of last week.One of those changes says offenses committed by children between the ages of 10 and 12 can be referred to the juvenile justice system.   Before the changes, the cutoff was age 13.Also, the new law expands youth offenses to include crimes involving handguns, aggravated cruelty to animals and third-degree sex offense. Along with that, any youth who commits a felony would be placed on GPS monitoring; and any youth who commits a felony while wearing a monitor would be subject to detention.If law enforcement requests detention, the Department of Juvenile Services will have two days to decide if this action is warranted.The new law also expands time limits for probation.Retired US District Court Judge Andre Davis, who chairs the newly established Juvenile Justice System Oversight Commission, says these reforms are about rehabilitation, not punishment.By Kevin McManus