{"id":373856,"date":"2016-10-28T13:34:13","date_gmt":"2016-10-28T18:34:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/maryland-law\/maryland-juvenile-crime-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-12-04T10:34:44","modified_gmt":"2024-12-04T15:34:44","slug":"maryland-juvenile-crime-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/maryland-law\/maryland-juvenile-crime-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Maryland Juvenile Crime Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Maryland Juvenile Crime Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

In Maryland’s juvenile justice system, anyone under 18 is a child. The juvenile courts have jurisdiction over all children age 13 and older. Under Maryland law, courts may not charge children under 13 with a criminal offense.<\/p>\r\n

Maryland juvenile crime laws follow the concept of restorative justice. The juvenile justice system<\/a> strikes a balance between holding juvenile offenders accountable for their actions, addressing the root causes of criminal behavior, and protecting public safety.<\/p>\r\n

Juvenile Criminal Offenses<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Maryland’s juvenile justice system is separate from the adult criminal justice system. The juvenile system<\/a> handles children ages 13-18 who are alleged to be delinquent. It also takes children between 10 and 13 who have committed any of these crimes:<\/p>\r\n