“Justice on Hold”: Maryland Court Puts Child Victims Act Cases on Pause Amid System Mismanagement

In a move that’s raising eyebrows across Maryland, a Baltimore judge has hit pause on over 1,250 civil child sexual abuse cases filed under the 2023 Child Victims Act (CVA)—a law that was hailed by state Democrats as a landmark for survivor justice. But now, the very justice they promised is being delayed, and victims are left in legal limbo.

Baltimore City Circuit Court Administrative Judge Audrey J.S. Carrión issued the order on June 2, 2025, citing “case management concerns.” In plain English? The courts are overwhelmed, underprepared, and incapable of handling the very flood of lawsuits they enabled. The stay affects hundreds of cases against public institutions, private schools, churches, and Maryland’s own troubled juvenile detention system.

So what went wrong?

The Politicians Opened the Floodgates—Then Fumbled the Response

The Child Victims Act was championed as a moral imperative: lifting the statute of limitations so that survivors of long-ago abuse could finally have their day in court. But rather than prepare the court system for the volume of filings, Maryland lawmakers charged ahead with lofty promises and zero infrastructure. In April, they even added fuel to the fire by capping future lawsuit payouts and attorney fees—creating a gold rush of filings before the May 31 deadline.

Now the courts are saying: we’re not ready.

The result? A mass pause on proceedings, and victims who were told justice was finally within reach are watching it get postponed—indefinitely.

Legal Chaos, Political Cover

Let’s be honest. This isn’t just a court logistics issue. It’s a political problem disguised as a legal one. State leadership, including Governor Wes Moore and his legislative allies, were quick to score moral points by championing the CVA, but slow to back it up with resources. The General Assembly passed sweeping changes without planning for how overwhelmed dockets, limited judges, and strained court budgets would handle the fallout.

Now, survivors and their attorneys are sounding the alarm: what good is the right to file if the system can’t process your case?

A Two-Tier Justice System?

Here’s the real kicker: while the state freezes victims’ cases, they still allow new lawsuits to be filed. In other words, you can enter the courthouse, but don’t expect a trial date. This bureaucratic bottleneck creates a chilling effect: justice delayed becomes justice denied.

Meanwhile, defense attorneys representing state-run institutions and churches are undoubtedly breathing a sigh of relief. Every day a case is on hold is another day closer to dismissal, delay, or settlement under terms more favorable to the institutions than the survivors.

What Comes Next?

All eyes are now on the Maryland Supreme Court and the state’s Rules Committee. They’re expected to issue guidance in the coming weeks on how to move the backlog forward. But confidence is low. The same political and legal class that failed to prepare is now being trusted to clean up its own mess.

Once again, Maryland’s ruling class makes a grand announcement, takes the media victory lap, and leaves citizens—and in this case, victims—waiting in line.

Bottom Line

If the state truly believes in justice for survivors, then it needs to treat it like more than a press release. It needs a functioning, resourced, and timely court system. That’s not a partisan issue—it’s basic governance. And right now, Maryland’s system is failing the very people it claimed to help.

---

📣 TAKE ACTION: Hold Maryland’s Leaders Accountable

If you believe justice shouldn’t be paused, speak up:

✅ Contact Your State Legislators – Demand immediate funding and reforms to clear the backlog of CVA cases.
✅ Call Governor Moore’s Office – Ask why his administration failed to prepare for the flood of cases they encouraged.
✅ Support Legal Reform Groups – Donate to or volunteer with organizations fighting for judicial transparency and victims’ rights.
✅ Share This Story – Use your voice to amplify the truth. Survivors deserve more than broken promises.

📬 Tell us your story: Are you or someone you know impacted by the CVA case pause? Contact us. Your voice matters. We’ll help you be heard.

#JusticeDelayed #MDPolitics #CVAWatch #MarylandBayNews