All of us deserve a life with dignity, respect, and safety. But here in Maryland, a grave injustice is being done to children. Jewish tradition teaches that the Divine encompasses both justice and mercy. But right now, Maryland sends more young people to adult court based on offense type, per capita, than any other state except for Alabama. Here, children as young as 14 are automatically charged as if they were adults. Automatically charging kids as adults — who may or may not be guilty — puts them in danger, makes communities less safe, and wastes resources. Even states like Missouri, Texas and Tennessee have passed laws to stop this practice. It is only by educating the public that we can begin to remedy this injustice in our state.

Please join us on the morning of Sunday Feb. 4 for a presentation by our two speakers: Alonzo Turner-Bey, a returning citizen who was incarcerated in the adult prison system at the age of 17 and who now serves as a Community Development Assistant in the Prince George’s County Health Department; and Michelle Kim, Assistant Public Defender and Supervising Attorney in the Juvenile Division of the Maryland Office of the Public Defender.

Sponsored by the Chizuk Amuno Social Justice Advocacy Committee