Nationwide, teenagers have not been physically present in a physical classroom because of the fear of contracting the disease. Instead, most schools in 2020 and 2021 held classes online. This lack of in-person schooling makes it much easier (and more tempting) for teens to skip school when classes are online. According to recent reports, some of these teens are using their free time to steal people’s cars through force or threats of force – i.e., carjacking.

According to the Washington Post, carjacking crimes have spiked in cities throughout the country, like Chicago and New Orleans. In Washington, there were 345 carjacking offenses in 2020 compared to 142 in 2019. The Post also reports that Maryland is no exception: 259 juveniles were charged with carjacking in 259 versus 136 in 2019. The numbers do not include juveniles who are charged and tried as adults.

The Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), a Washington-based think tank that regularly consults with chiefs across the country, found that “with many schools closed for in-person education, school-aged youths with free time — some as young as 12-15 — are committing a large portion of the increase in carjackings.” However, the rise in carjacking offenses is not just confined to teenagers. Many adults are involved, too.

Victims of the carjacking admit to being terrified as masked assailants with guns and rifles force them out of their car, hoping that the assailants do not shoot them.

Why have carjackings increased during the pandemic?

Experts suggest several reasons for the rise in carjacking offenses:

• There are few jobs during the pandemic which means people are looking for illegal ways to make money.
• Stealing from homes is riskier because people are staying home more. Carjacking is less risky than entering a home when someone is in the home.
• Youth programs are not operational.
• The need to reduce personal contact means teens and juveniles on release from juvenile facilities are not being monitored.

Adding to law enforcement’s problems is that identifying the assailants can prove difficult, the people who commit the crimes are now wearing masks.

Law enforcement needs to work across communities and states, because often the carjacking occurs in one jurisdiction and the car is then driven to another jurisdiction.

Concerns when a juvenile is arrested for carjacking

When teenagers are arrested for carjacking crimes there are several concerns law enforcement must address:

• Should they be detained in juvenile detention facilities while their case is waiting for a hearing – because they’re teenagers and because COVID-19 makes living in juvenile detention centers serious?
• What crimes should they be charged with? There are various charges they could face, including specific carjacking crimes, theft crimes, robbery, weapons crimes, and other offenses, especially if a person is killed or injured.
• Should the teenager be tired as a juvenile or an adult?
• How should multiple carjacking offenses be handled?

At Carey Law Office, we fight to protect juveniles. We work to have juveniles tried as juveniles and not as adults. We work to negotiate solutions and rehabilitation programs that are designed to help the juvenile – not just punish the teenager. We explain to parents what laws apply, what defenses are available, and what rights your child has. To schedule your consultation with an experienced criminal defense lawyer, call us at 301-464-2500 or complete our contact form to make an appointment. We maintain offices in Bowie, Crofton, and Owings.