Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1929-11-22
Richie Orders State Probe OF
Juvenile delinquency.
Baltimore Sun Of Thursday.

Baltimore Sun Of Thursday.
A study of juvenile delinquency in Bal
timOre city and every county in the State,
which may lead to radical changes in the
present system Of handling such cases,
will be conducted by the Maryland League
of Women Voters and the State govern
ment. Governor Richie announced yes
terday
Each magistrate who has had jurisdic-
ton over juvenile cases in the counties.
and the judges in the Juvenile Courts in
six counties and Baltimore city. have been
requested by the Governor to make COM
plete report Oh each case brought before
them from the first of last month until
April 1.
Forms for the magistrates and judges
to fill out have been prepared so that an
analysis in each instance will be possible.
The Governors statement explaining the
action follows:
1.-THE State government is cooperating
with the Maryland League of Women
Voters and the various social agencies in
making as complete and accurate survey
as possible of juvenile delinquency in this
State.
This work is the outcome OF several
years study of child welfare, following the
report and recommendations of The Com
mission on Laws and Minors. which ap-
pointed to investigate the subject.
Nothing is more vital to the community
than the proper handling of juvenile de-
linquency. There is no sounder social
economy. II results in reducing the prob
lem and expense of the child who is
social Outcast, and II involves many diff
cult questions and considerations.
Considerable progress has been made
by the establishment of juvenile branch
IN number Of the Circuit Courts of the
State, presided over by the Circuit Judge.
This is the case in Baltimore. Montgomery.
Hartford. Anne Arundel and Frederick cOun-
ties. There is also a special juvenile
magistrate in Allegany county. In Balti.
more city the Juvenile Court is making
remarkable progress along these lines.
Probably the solution is a system of
separate courts 10 every county as we'll as
in Baltimore city with adequate proba-
ton, p irOle and clinic facilities, but this
can only be determined after an accurate
ascertainment and study of the facts over
a definite period.
with this end in view. have requested
the several juvenile courts OF the State and
the magistrates in Baltimore city and in
all the counties who have Jurisdiction over
juvenile cases TO furnish me with the nee
essary detailed data and analysis in every
case before them during the six months
period from October |. 1929. to April !. 1880.
81 feel confident that on the basis of
these reports we will be able TO prepare a
program which will constitute notable
forward step in the handling OF this difficult
\ problem"
Ii was said the program of which Gov.
Richie speaks would be presented to the
Legislature ia 1891. At present the five
counties which have Circuit Court judges
sitting as Juvenile Judge are doing so
by authority OF special acts. 10 the re-
mainder Of the counties. with the excep-
ton Of Allegany, the regular justices Of
the peace hear the juvenile cases, unless
she crime is serious.
The possibility OF establishing juvenile
court in each county. with regular prOba>
ton departments to look out for the chill
dren also as suggested in connection with
the study. But no action Of any sort will
be taken until the reports have been re-
ceived. the complete study analysed and
the program decided upon. the Governor
said.
The Commission on Laws of Minors re-
ported TO the 1924 session of the Leeisla-
ture, but no action has ever been taken on
the recommendations.