Understanding Juvenile Cases
Juvenile cases involve youth under the age of 18 who have been charged with a criminal offense. These cases follow a different process than adult cases, with a focus on accountability, rehabilitation, and public safety.
This page explains how the juvenile justice process works, what to expect at each stage, and answers common questions for victims, witnesses, and families. The goal of the juvenile system is to balance community safety with services that help youth take responsibility for their actions and reduce the likelihood of future harm.
Support If You’ve Been Affected by a Crime
If you’ve been affected by a crime involving a juvenile—whether directly or as a witness—support and information are available. Visit the Victim & Witness page to learn about available services, your rights, and what to expect.
The Juvenile Charging Process
Police Arrest of a Juvenile Defendant
- Officer detains juvenile and brings them to the Juvenile Justice Center.
- Officer calls the Justice Center to speak with Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) intake officer to see what to do with the child.
DJS Intake Officer Reviews Charges
- Officer writes and submits report in lieu of making arrest.
- Police add additional offenses to juvenile already detained.
- Officer told by DJS to write report and take juvenile offender home.
- Citizen complaint made to DJS.
Charging Decision by DJS Intake
- DJS Intake Officer reviews and determines what to do with the juvenile based on the charges, the arrest report, the juvenile's arrest record and other factors.
- DJS Officers have a 15-day mandate to send the cases to the SAO for charging.
Formal/Informal Determination
- DJS makes determination to 'formal' the case and send it to the SAO to charge the juvenile but must formal all felony charges.
- DJS makes a determination if a juvenile does not need court intervention, and to keep the case 'informal'.
State’s Attorney Charging of Juvenile
- SAO has 30-days to charge and petition the case to the courts.
- Case is set for arraignment with the courts.
Immediate/Emergency Court Hearings
- Typically reserved for more serious offenses, these are cases set for arraignment at the next available court date.
Important Facts Regarding the Juvenile Justice System
Entering the Juvenile Justice System
There are two ways a juvenile may enter the juvenile justice system, police arrest or a citizen complaint.
Limits on Juvenile Arrests
Police cannot make a juvenile arrest for property damages under $1,000 if the officer does not see the act occur.
Charging a Juvenile
The BCSAO cannot formally charge a juvenile without permission from the Department of Juvenile Services.
Diversion Programs
Many complaints are solved out of court through diversion programs such as Teen Court, or Community Mediation.
Transfer to Adult Court
There are a few violent crimes, such as murder or rape in the first-degree that require automatic transfer to adult jurisdiction for youth above a certain age. In other cases, the BCSAO can file a waiver to transfer youth to adult jurisdiction, but the waiver must be approved by the Court.
Maryland Juvenile Court Victim FAQ
I was the victim of a crime committed by a juvenile – how do I find out what happened to the case?
All juvenile cases filter through the Department of Juvenile Services (DJS). If you want to know the status of your case, you should contact DJS Intake located at the Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center at 443-263-8998.
While records are deemed confidential, victims are entitled to certain dispositional information specific to their case.
I was the victim of a crime committed by a juvenile – can I file charges against the juvenile?
Victims may initiate the process through police or file a citizen’s complaint on their own. To file your own complaint, please go to the Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center, located at 300 N. Gay St. Baltimore MD 21202. The DJS Intake Office is on the 1st floor.
Can I appeal the decision by the Department of Juvenile Services to send a juvenile to a diversion program?
If DJS decides to informal/divert a case, they are required to send notification to the Victim in a letter. If you would like to appeal the diversion decision, please sign the letter and return it to the State’s Attorney’s Office within 30 days of receipt of the letter. It should be mailed to Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City, 300 N. Gay Street, BCJJC, Room A2100, Baltimore MD 21202.
Once received, the State’s Attorney’s Office has 30 days to review the case for possible charging.
How do I submit a Community Impact Statement?
The Assistant State’s Attorney assigned to the case can submit a community impact statement, on behalf of a community, to the Court.
How do I find the Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) Case Manager?
Please contact DJS at the Central Office for Baltimore City at 443-263-8796.
Juvenile Division
Learn how the Juvenile Division handles cases involving youth and works to promote accountability, rehabilitation, and public safety.
Juvenile Court
Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center
300 N. Gay Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
Juvenile Courts and our Victim Witness Waiting Room are located on the 3rd Floor.
Items Prohibited
Visitors by order of the Baltimore City Sheriff’s Office are prohibited from bringing the following into the building: food, drinks, electronic equipment and large bags.
Validated Parking
Parkway/Fallsway Lot
545 N. High Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202
PARKING IS VALIDATED FOR THIS LOT ONLY- BRING YOUR TICKET WITH YOU FOR VALIDATION!
Street Parking
Available on Gay Street, Hillen Street, and surrounding off streets
The parking meters accept coins and debit/credit cards
THE OFFICE DOES NOT VALIDATE OR REIMBURSE FOR STREET PARKING
MTA Information: Bus and Subway
Please call or visit the site below for details. The Shot Tower is the nearest Subway station to Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center.