BALTIMORE (WBFF) — After years of hearing pleas from police, prosecutors, and parents asking for changes to juvenile justice laws, lawmakers listened in 2024 by changing aspects of the Juvenile Justice Reform Act of 2022 (JJRA). Data showed the number of charges filed against young offenders has increased since.
Data from the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office showed the rollercoaster of policies and impacts on the community. In fiscal year 2015, there were 680 felonies charged. A decade later, that number was 882.
Carjacking and auto theft charges dipped to 123 in 2022. In 2023, when cars were being stolen at record levels in Baltimore, there were 151 charges. After lawmakers made changes to the JJRA in 2023, the numbers changed as well. The data from the Baltimore City state’s attorney’s office shows 348 charges were filed for carjacking and auto thefts in 2025…