Ending auto-charging is one of Choice's top legislative priorities because it directly affects the young people involved in the youth legal system in Maryland. We advocate annually with all the members of Judicial Proceedings committee (JPR). Three Choice leaders recently spoke with Sen. Will Smith (D, District 20, Montgomery County) about the moral imperative to end autocharging. Sen. Smith is the head of JPR in Annapolis. Last year, he sponsored legislation that, if passed, would limit the use of auto-charging of children as adults. It got stuck in the senate and did not pass. We pledged our support again this year. He was on campus to deliver a Constitution Day lecture and visit with President Sheares Ashby. When our president welcomes civic leaders to campus who have an interest in youth legal reform she always makes sure Choice is present. She is an ally and advocate for The Shriver Center and our programs. 

There's a UMBC connection to the JPR committee! Sen. Charles Sydnor sits on it. He represents Catonsville and is an alum (UMBC, MA in political science, Class of  2000). He is totally rad: the most principled, anti-racist in the senate JPR and an ally to Choice and UMBC 

--Kelly Quinn, managing director, The Choice Program at UMBC

pictured: President Valerie Sheares Ashby; Kelly Quinn, managing director; Alysha Williams, operations assistant manager at our social enterprises; Sen. Will Smith; and Eric Ford, executive director