Maryland’s top prosecutors are speaking out against a proposed law that would change the way juvenile offenders are prosecuted.

The Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland is pushing the legislation — known as the Youth Equity and Safety Act, or the YES Act — as part of its 2025 legislative priority agenda.

If the bill is passed, 75% of crimes that start in adult court right now would start in juvenile court instead, with some of the most violent cases staying in adult court.

Similar bills have been introduced in previous years, but none of them passed.

This time around, Sen. Will Smith, chair of the Judicial Proceedings Committee, says he plans to back the legislation.

He calls it a public safety bill, saying, “you will get better public safety outcomes when you get youths the services and supports they need so that they don’t recidivate.”

However, Rich Gibson, the president of the Maryland State’s Attorneys’ Association, calls it a threat to public safety.

“The 24 state’s attorneys are not in favor of automatic filing in juvenile court for a number of reasons,” Gibson told FOX45 News.

One of his major concerns is slowing down the judicial process.

He points to a law saying that in juvenile cases, a Department of Juvenile Services officer has 25 days to decide whether to make an arrest in any given case.

Another concern is DJS’ ability to handle more cases.

If this bill passes, the department would be flooded with new cases.

“DJS cup overfloweth right now,” Gibson says. “They’re not showing society they’re handling the kids they currently have, the portion of the kids they have, exceptionally well.”

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