Maryland's current policy of automatically charging youth as adults casts too wide a net, catching and harming way too many youth in the adult system who should never be there. 

Kwantai was arrested when he tried to break up a fight on his way home from school. He was detained for six months before his case was finally transferred to the juvenile system and dismissed. Like Kwantai, nearly 60% of youth charged as adults eventually have their cases dismissed or sent to the juvenile system, but wait an average of three and a half months for a transfer hearing.  Kwantai waited six months.  Youth often can't graduate high school, lose their jobs, and family members that depend on them suffer.

The stakes are high when we talking about the future of our young people. The Senate will hear SB 215 this Wednesday.  Ask your legislator to support SB 215/HB 471 to start youth's cases in the juvenile system and hold youth accountable timely and fairly.
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The Just Kids Campaign is a statewide advocacy campaign working to stop the automatic prosecution of youth as adults in Maryland. CLIA, a Baltimore-based nonprofit, leads the Just Kids Campaign. CLIA develops young people to be leaders by connecting them to opportunities to amplify their voices, cultivate their skills, and actively participate in the process of positive community change. 
Learn more: www.cliayouth.org.