Yahoo Autos Legal Loophole Blamed For Baltimore Carjackings
Read the full story on The Auto Wire
Baltimore, like far too many other US cities, is struggling with underage kids committing violent carjackings. We’ve known about this problem for some time, even though others have tried denying its existence, but now a new report claims these carjackings might be fueled by a “legal loophole.”
Plumber tried unsuccessfully to save 80-year-old woman from fatal carjacking.
We immediately thought of prosecutors cutting sweet deals with young offenders, something which has allowed kids as young as eight to not only steal cars, but even hold victims at gunpoint, while getting just a slap on the wrist.
But that’s not at all the “loophole” cited in the report from WBFF. Instead, it’s that carjackers wear ski masks when they commit the crimes, making it difficult if not impossible for victims to positively identify them.
Two legal experts told the news station that young offenders are charged with lesser offenses like unauthorized use of a vehicle because victims can’t identify the suspects for sure. They’re saying that constitutes insufficient evidence, allowing the kids to get a slap on the wrist.
If you think that’s a roundabout way of placing some of the blame on victims, you’re probably not the only one. After getting pistol whipped or dragged by these teenagers who carjack you, being told that because they were wearing masks means they won’t get hit with the full force of the law would be insulting and infuriating.
This makes us wonder if bank robbers or other criminals who wear masks when committing a crime also escape the full consequences of their actions? Or does this legal standard only apply to violent juvenile carjackers?
One of those attorneys says it’s a way for the juvenile justice system and police department to lower violent crime stats. That’s pretty crooked, if true. But we’ve seen cities try downplaying car thefts and carjackings before instead of admitting to the full extent of the problem and coming up with a solution.
Image via WBFF Fox45 Baltimore/YouTube
Follow The Auto Wire on Google News.
Join our Newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube page, and follow us on Facebook.
