'The CINS petition is accountability': Public defender shares perspective on juvenile justice law
'The CINS petition is accountability': Public defender shares perspective on juvenile justice law
A 12-year-old accused of stealing a sedan, running a red light, and crashing into a motorcyclist, killing 69-year-old Barry Wright, cannot face criminal charges due to Maryland law, Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates announced last week.
The crash occurred two weeks ago on North Dukeland Street in Northwest Baltimore.
Following the incident, police filed a "child in need of supervision" (CINS) petition, which serves as the form of accountability in this case, according to Marguerite Lanaux, Baltimore City District One public defender.
"Everybody's impacted. There's impact to the community for what took place," Lanaux said. "The CINS petition is accountability."
Bates expressed frustration over the legal limitations.
"I'm very frustrated. I keep knocking my head against the wall, and nobody's listening. And unfortunately, now we have another individual who's lost their life at the hands of a juvenile," Bates said.
Lanaux explained that while the state's attorney’s office is not involved in the CINS process, it does not mean there is no action.
"The state's attorney's office is not involved in the process and does not control the process. That doesn't mean that there isn't a process," she said.
Video below: 12-year-old driver faces CINS referral (Oct. 5)
The CINS process involves a court procedure where a judge hears evidence and determines what services the child needs. Lanaux emphasized that the victim's family can have a voice in this process.
"We want our children to grow up and be productive, and not to engage in the system in a way that brings them before the court again and again. We want to change behaviors, and you change the behaviors by identifying the proper services that a child needs and getting them the proper programming," Lanaux said.
Bates previously stated that the 12-year-old was already known to the Department of Juvenile Services.
Lanaux noted that in cases like this, a judge will re-evaluate the child and consider ordering new interventions.
Video below: Boy drove stolen car that killed motorcyclist in crash, BPD says (Oct. 9)