Maryland prosecutors dismiss second-degree assault case against Baltimore Delegate Caylin Young after January 1 incident

Case ends on scheduled court date, following allegations from New Year’s Day dispute in Baltimore

Prosecutors have dismissed a second-degree assault case against Maryland Del. Caylin Young, a Democrat representing District 45 in Baltimore City, ending criminal proceedings that were set for a court appearance on February 23, 2026.

The case stemmed from an incident alleged to have occurred around 2:30 a.m. on January 1, 2026. Court records described an argument in a vehicle after a driver took what Young believed was a wrong turn. The charging document alleged that Young demanded to drive, moved into the driver’s seat, continued yelling and then struck the driver in the chest with a closed fist. The incident was reported as occurring in Baltimore’s Federal Hill area.

Young denied the allegations through counsel as the case moved toward trial. The defense sought a speedy trial and maintained the accusation would not be proven in court.

The criminal case was dismissed before evidence was presented in open court on the scheduled trial date.

Protective-order proceedings factored into the outcome

In addition to the criminal filing, the dispute also proceeded through Maryland’s protective-order process. The defense said a prior protective-order hearing ended in Young’s favor and that prosecutors reviewed the transcript from that proceeding before deciding to dismiss the criminal charge.

Dismissal of a criminal charge in District Court does not, by itself, establish innocence or guilt; it reflects a prosecutorial decision that can be based on multiple factors, including the strength of admissible evidence and prospects at trial.

Professional and political context

Young has served in the Maryland House of Delegates since January 11, 2023. Outside the legislature, he worked for Baltimore City government as a deputy director in the Office of Equity and Civil Rights. After the January charge was filed, Young resigned from that city position, stating he wanted to focus on his defense and on his responsibilities to constituents.

The dismissal resolves the latest criminal case involving the delegate. In 2023, a separate misdemeanor assault charge against Young was also dropped.

What comes next

• No trial will take place in the dismissed January 2026 assault case.

• Young remains a sitting delegate unless separate legislative or political actions occur.

• The protective-order outcome and the criminal dismissal close the court proceedings publicly tied to the New Year’s Day allegation.