In Maryland, youth as young as 14 years of age may be tried as adults if they are charged with certain serious offenses, such as murder, robbery, carjacking, and assault. On any given day, about 150 youth under 18 years of age are held at the Baltimore City Detention Center pending trial. Some are detained for up to one year. Many youth who are held in adult jails pending criminal trials are ultimately released or referred to the juvenile justice system.
Liz Ryan, president and CEO of the Campaign for Youth Justice will lead a discussion about the organization’s report Jailing Juveniles: The Dangers of Incarcerating Youth in Adult Jails in America. She will also share ideas about what local advocates may do to reduce the number of youth who are charged as adults and detained pretrial at adult jails.
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