Well this is asinine. I'm a democrat, but I'd favor *lowering* the felony murder charge to 12, to be tried as an adult. If you don't know and understand that murder is wrong by the time you're 12--or hell, even 7, then you cannot be helped. It has nothing to do with when brains fully mature -- even children understand that killing a human being is wrong.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree that brains are not fully mature until mid-20s. However we still need to enforce accountability and deterrents to recidivism. So what's the plan?

If that’s truly the case that their brains aren’t developed enough to make simple decisions about committing felonies, we certainly shouldn’t allow them to vote, drive, or enter into contracts until they are 25/26. Also, no one in the armed forces until you hit 25. Those people have guns, you know.

PP you replied to. I know, that's what follows logically. But we still need to create a safe environment, so young murderers can't just be put back on the streets, can they?

Felony murder has been abolished in most civilized countries for any age. Do away with it.

Part of growing and learning is learning that there are boundaries and consequences.

This is a stupid bill.

Anonymous wrote:I agree that brains are not fully mature until mid-20s. However we still need to enforce accountability and deterrents to recidivism. So what's the plan?

If that’s truly the case that their brains aren’t developed enough to make simple decisions about committing felonies, we certainly shouldn’t allow them to vote, drive, or enter into contracts until they are 25/26. Also, no one in the armed forces until you hit 25. Those people have guns, you know.

Anonymous wrote:I agree that brains are not fully mature until mid-20s. However we still need to enforce accountability and deterrents to recidivism. So what's the plan?

Raise the limit to 30.

And why not? She’s got a point. You can still get charged w a murder just not a felony murder. Most jurisdictions don’t even have that as a specific crime.

Here's the actual bill if you want to take a look at it yourself: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2023RS/fnotes/bil_0000/hb1180.pdf

Delegates sponsor all sorts of nonsense. Most of it never goes anywhere.

As a person who considers myself to be a Democrat, I'm speechless. I feel like my party has lost all common sense and any notion of integrity, accountability and morality. What is wrong with these people?

I agree that brains are not fully mature until mid-20s. However we still need to enforce accountability and deterrents to recidivism. So what's the plan?

This sounds like a great idea for Baltimore. WTH. So glad I left MD in the 90s.

BALTIMORE (WBFF) — In Maryland, felony murder occurs when someone is killed while a felony crime, like robbery, is committed.

For example, if a getaway driver hits and kills a pedestrian while fleeing a crime scene, they are guilty of felony murder under current law.

Democratic Delegate Charlotte Crutchfield wants to change that with her Youth Accountability and Safety Act, House Bill 1180.

Specifically, Delegate Crutchfield wants that to apply to anyone under the age of 25.

"It would be absolutely outrageous and result in more crime," said Maury Richards, law enforcement expert and former Chief of Police in Martinsburg, West Virginia.

"Last year, with Senator Carter's Juvenile Justice Reform Act, it really opened the floodgates. There is a crime wave of violence going on right now, but instead of the legislator debating to rescind that, we're hung up on whether 25-year-olds should be charged with murder."

Proponents argue the brain is not fully developed until after someone turns 25.

https://foxbaltimore.com/morning/law-and-order-debate-over-felony-murder-law-this-legislative-session