Bill

H.R. 5140 (119th): This bill lowers the age at which an individual may be tried as an adult for certain criminal offenses in the District of Columbia (DC) to 14 years of age

This bill lowers the age at which an individual may be tried as an adult for certain criminal offenses in the District of Columbia (DC) to 14 years of age. Under current DC law, an individual who is under 18 years of age is tried as a juvenile in family court. However, an individual who is 16 years of age or older may be tried as an adult if the individual is charged with murder, first-degree sexual abuse, burglary in the first degree, robbery while armed, or assault with intent to commit any such offense. Additionally, an individual who is 15 years of age or older may be tried as an adult if the individual is alleged to have committed a felony and it is determined that (1) it is in the interest of the public welfare to try the individual as an adult, and (2) there are no reasonable prospects for the individual's rehabilitation. The bill lowers the minimum age to be tried as an adult in these cases to 14 years of age.

house · Substantive

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Official source

Summary

Recorded summary

This House bill lowers the minimum age at which a person may be tried as an adult in District of Columbia criminal cases from 16 to 14 for offenses already covered by the adult-trial provision, which include murder, first-degree sexual abuse, first-degree burglary, armed robbery, and assault with intent to commit those offenses. It also lowers the age from 15 to 14 for felonies where the court finds that adult trial serves the public welfare and there are no reasonable prospects for rehabilitation. Under current law, anyone under 18 is generally tried in family court unless these conditions are met.

abuse_accountabilitychild_welfarecriminal_justicecriminal_offensesfamily_policyjuvenile_justicepublic_safety

Theological note: The bill raises questions of general equity in how a society balances public safety, justice for victims, and the duty to protect and rehabilitate children. Scripture gives weight to both justice for the wronged and mercy toward the young and vulnerable, so the issue is one of prudential judgment about how to apply these concerns to serious juvenile offenses, not a direct endorsement or prohibition of an evil act.

Scoring

How this bill is scored

Debt and war Cloture and Tier 1 Procedural votes Scoring mechanics abuse accountability

Roll

Recorded votes

Roll 271 · 16-Sep-2025 5:14 PM · On Passage · Passed

Yea 225 · Nay 203 · Other 4

Yea

Nay

Other

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