Reply to Will DC eve go back to being somewhat tough on crime?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]It’s comical that with rising crime the city is going to reform the criminal justice code so it’s more lenient.[/quote]

The criminal code reform is not about making it more lenient. It is about modernizing it. The DC criminal code has not undergone a comprehensive revision in about a century, which is way out of step with what other jurisdictions have done. The recommendations that formed the foundation for the current bill were formed over the course of 4 years by a diverse group of participants. They are not winging it to be soft on crime. If you are interested in learning more, I'd suggest you check out: https://ccrc.dc.gov/page/frequently-asked-questions-8[/quote]

It’s not enough to cite the need for a comprehensive update to the criminal code for the first time since 1901; the overhaul has to be done in the right way. Among other things, the bill as introduced redefines some criminal offenses, removes mandatory minimum sentences for some established crimes, and changes judicial sentencing authority. That combination could result in fewer criminals being held accountable.

Equally disturbing, the bill would revise the offense for violating civil protection orders, which have kept alive more than a few victims of domestic violence; would adjust the penalty for failure to appear in court; and would revise the terms of supervised release. In other words, I think the legislation — unless it’s substantially altered from the original package — will only exacerbate concerns about the revolving doors at the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the DC Superior Court.[/quote]

It's all but guaranteed to pass substantially in this form.

The only part of the process DC voters have much input in is members of the council who write the laws and penalties. Most prosecution is from a federally appointed office, as are judges. USAO does not even release stats or respond to FOIAs. It's possible that they might make SF or LA look tough on crime. It has been that way ever since I came to DC, regardless of administration who appointed the USA. No transparency whatsoever re: outcomes. People have tried to change it with little result, by pressuring the Congressional committee that oversees DOJ.

The USAO has been testifying and talking about it at many community meetings, but it has not really seemed to capture public attention. The fund/defund media focus is almost besides the point, the big levers are prosecution rates and statutory penalties. The very simple 1993 carjacking bill was very effective in DC until age carve outs, something the original bill did not have.

Maybe closing Lorton was a mistake too? [/quote]

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