Legislation

The definition of “crimes of violence” is found in the Maryland Annotated Code, Cr. LawArt. § 14-101*. Maryland Annotated Code, Criminal Law Article, Section 14-101 provides a list of crimes identified as crimes of violence. In this section, “crime of violence” means:

1. abduction;
2. arson in the first degree;
3. kidnapping;
4. manslaughter, except involuntary manslaughter;
5. mayhem;
6. maiming, as previously proscribed under formerArticle 27, §§ 385 and 386 of the Code;
7. murder;
8. rape;
9. robbery under §3-402 or §3-403 of this article;
10. carjacking;
11. armed carjacking;
12. sexual offense in the first degree;
13. sexual offense in the second degree;
14. use of a firearm in the commission of a felony except possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance under §5-602(2) of this article, or other crime of violence;
15. child abuse in the first degree under §3-601 of this article;
16. [Not applicable to youth offenders];
17. home invasion under §6-202(b) of this article;
18. a felony offense underTitle 3, Subtitle 11 of this article;
19. an attempt to commit any of the crimes described in items (1) through (18) of this subsection;
20. continuing course of conduct with a child under §3-315 of this article;
21. assault in the first degree;
22. assault with intent to murder;
23. assault with intent to
    rape;
24. assault with intent to rob;
25. assault with intent to commit a sexual offense in the first degree; and
26. assault with intent to commit a sexual offense in the second degree.

*The Maryland State Commission on Criminal Sentencing Policy uses the definition found in the Maryland Annotated Code, Correctional Services Article, Section
7-101(m), which defines “violent crimes” as the offenses listed under CR §14-101 and adds burglary 1, 2, and 3. However, Section 7-101(m) pertains only to individuals
sentenced in the adult court. DJS used this expanded definition through November 1, 2024. As of November 1, 2024 DJS adopted CR § 14-101 as its official definition
of crimes of violence.

For more details on citations shown below, please see the MD State, County, and Municipal Citation Search: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/Statutes

Human Services Article

• Title 9 -Juvenile Services
  • Establishes the functions of the Department of Juvenile Services; enumerates the authority of the Secretary; details the organization and
    administration of DJS; establishes the operation of state facilities, advisory boards, juvenile care facilities, and regional services; and specifies
    the procedures for Interstate Compact and the Juvenile Services facility capital program; and establishes the Juvenile Services Education
    Board and Juvenile Services Education Program within the Department.

Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article

• Title 3 - Courts of General Jurisdiction
  • Establishes the jurisdiction and functions of the juvenile court.
• Subtitle 8 – Juvenile Causes – Children in Need of Assistance (CINA)
  • §3-806. Provides for assignment of judges to the Juvenile Court in each jurisdiction.
  • §3-807. Provides for appointment of magistrates to juvenile matters; allows magistrates in juvenile matters to conduct hearings, make
    findings of fact, proposed conclusions of law and recommendations. Provides that a magistrate’s proposals and actions do not constitute
    final action by the court.
  • §3-823. Permanency plan for out-of-home placement: Requires the court to hold a permanency planning hearing to determine
    the permanency plan for a child no later than 11 months after a child is committed.
  • §3-829.A local government may create a juvenile court committee to serve as an advisory body for the local jurisdiction.