Shellenberger pushes for changes to Maryland’s juvenile justice system

Taylor Bennett | WBAL NewsRadio 1090 and FM 101.5 | June 2, 2024 | Original Source

Appearing on the “C4 and Bryan Newhman Show” on Monday, Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger continues to advocate for changes to the entire juvenile justice system.

“So many young people are being put on these ankle monitors, but when they violate, there should be a notice and people should be told right away, not wait a day or two,” Shellenberger said. “We should be notified right away that they are violating their ankle monitor rules.”

Shellenberger said he is still hoping to meet with Gov. Wes Moore and other state’s attorneys from around Maryland to discuss his concerns.

“I am by far not the only state’s attorney who would like to have the governor’s ear,” he said. “A meeting is being scheduled, and we are going to have a talk about all the criminal justice issues. ”

Shellenberger also spoke on the increase in juvenile cases seen in the county.

“The Legislature did change the law and say all felonies and all handguns have to be sent to the state’s attorney’s office,” he said. “Because of that, we have definitely started to see an increase in our numbers. From January ’24 to May of 2024, my juvenile folks got 296 cases. From January 2025 to May of 2025, that number went up to 371. And I think that number is a direct correlation to that law changing so that we are seeing more of the cases.”