Every time there's a serious crime involving a juvenile, it seems like the same thing is repeated.
The police make an arrest. The story makes the news. Everyone breathes a sigh of relief.
And then... the case goes into a black hole, leaving all of us wondering:
Did the case get prosecuted? Was there a plea agreement? Was the juvenile released? Was there any accountability at all?
The public rarely gets informed of the end result and the consequences (if any).
That lack of transparency is a huge part of the problem. When people can't see whether the system is working, they naturally assume it isn't. Victims are left wondering. Families are left wondering. The community is left wondering.
We can do better than that.
The point is this:
Right now, the public has no meaningful way to know the final disposition of juvenile crime cases.
As a former prosecutor, I understand why juvenile proceedings are different. They should be. Children deserve protections that adults do not. No one is suggesting we publish names, photographs, or private information about juveniles.
But protecting children should never require government to operate in complete darkness.
Those are two very different things.
As County Executive, one of my first initiatives will be to convene bi-monthly Juvenile Justice Roundtables, open to the public and the press.
Every other month, we'll bring the key players to the same table: the Baltimore County Police Department, my administration, the State's Attorney's Office, the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services, representatives of the judiciary, educators, community stakeholders, and anyone else with a role in protecting our neighborhoods and helping young people get back on the right path.
We'll identify juvenile cases not by a child's name, but by the incident itself.
The November 12th carjacking on Main Street.
The May 10th armed robbery outside the shopping center.
The August 1st assault at the park.
We'll follow each case from the moment police make contact until its conclusion. Was the juvenile diverted? Was the case dismissed? Was supervision ordered? Was treatment provided? Was restitution made? Was secure placement imposed? Where the law permits, we'll explain what happened and why.
Not to shame children.Not to score political points.
But to ensure that the public understands how the system is workingâand where it isn't.
Because here's the truth.
If law enforcement is doing its job but another part of the system is failing, the public deserves to know.
If prosecutors need more resources, we should know.
If the Department of Juvenile Services is overwhelmed, we should know.
If judges believe the law ties their hands, we should know that too.
And if the problem begins long before a child ever enters the courtroomâin our schools, our neighborhoods, or our mental health systemâwe need to have that conversation honestly.
I've never been afraid to challenge the establishment when it isn't serving the public.
That's been true throughout my legal career, and it will be true as County Executive.
The juvenile justice system exists to balance accountability with rehabilitation. Those goals are not in conflict. In fact, lasting rehabilitation depends on accountability. We owe it to victims, to our communities, and to the young people themselves to make sure the system is working as intended.
The first step toward solving any problem is understanding it.This is one of my foundational organizing principles.And right now, we simply don't know enough to solve this one.
Sunlight is not the enemy of justice.It's one of its greatest allies.And itâs the BEST disinfectant.
Today, I'm asking for your help.
Maryland law requires me to collect nearly 6,000 petition signatures just to earn a place on the ballot. Signing my petition is not a vote for me. It simply gives Baltimore County voters another choice this November.
If you believe government should be more transparent... if you believe every part of the juvenile justice system should be accountable to the public it serves... if you're ready for leadership that asks hard questions instead of avoiding them...
Please sign my petition.
I'm willing to hold every part of the system accountableâincluding my own administration.
But I can't do that unless I'm elected.And I can't get elected without your help.
