WASHINGTON – Federal lawmakers are one step closer to restricting flexible sentencing and record-sealing options for young offenders in D.C.
The DC Criminal Reforms to Immediately Make Everyone Safe Act, or DC CRIMES Act, was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on Sept. 17.
Bill sponsor Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) said, “Instead of addressing the clear epidemic of youth crime in the city, the DC city council increased the age of youth offenders.”
Donalds and the eight other co-sponsors of the bill claim the DC city council has been treating people 18 to 24 as juveniles, not adults, in the criminal justice system. But these young adults are still tried in adult court.
Donalds and other House Republicans are targeting the city’s Youth Rehabilitation Act, which gives judges the discretion to shorten sentences and set aside records for people 24 and younger once their sentence is completed. The potential changes worry youth justice advocates.
