DC City Council Overturns Video of Bill Reducing Punishments for Rape and Murder

Tuesday’s Council of the District of Columbia motioned to override a veto of the Democrat Mayor Muriel Bowser That prevented the Revised Criminal Code Act from becoming law, a bill that would have reduced penalties for violent offenders.

According to local news, “In a 12-1 vote — with Ward 8 Council member Trayon White voting in opposition — the council moved to override Bowser’s veto of the Revised Criminal Code Act. Essentially, the city’s code determines what punishments to assign to crimes, including sentence lengths, and also classifies what types of crimes are misdemeanors. The code sets guidelines that the police, attorneys, courts, and prisons all work from.” 

On January 3, Bowser The bill was vetoed by the president and according to Fox NewsBowser stated, “Anytime there is a policy that reduces penalties, I think it sends the wrong message.”

The law removes mandatory minimum sentencing and reduces maximum sentences. It also gives misdemeanors accused the right to a jury trial. Another change would allow those convicted for violent crimes like murder or rape 20 years after their sentence to ask for early release. Washington, DC has seen carjacking While crime is on the rise since 2020, the new bill would reduce carjacking penalties.

The bill would reform the city’s criminal law, which was first written in 1901. In November 2013, DC’s all Democrat council unanimously approved it.

DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb Tweeted “The Revised Criminal Code Act is the product of more than a decade of research, compromise, and public input. Given our principal mission of improving public safety and the fair administration of justice, OAG has been engaged since day one on these reform efforts.”

“Reforms to DC’s 122-year-old criminal code—passed before women and Black residents enjoyed fundamental rights—are sorely needed. This bill will improve public safety and provide long overdue clarity and fairness in our justice system. RCCA should be the law of the District,” Schwalb was added.

After Bowser’s veto, On January 10, Councilmember Brooke Pinto tweeted, “Today, @CMCharlesAllen and I are moving to override the Mayor’s veto of the Revised Criminal Code Act. The veto threatens to unravel years of work and thorough study that has culminated in a criminal code that is more just, equitable, & clear — making us all safer.”

Councilmember Matt Frumin tweeted, “I will vote to override the Mayor’s veto of the Revised Criminal Code Act. The RCCA modernizes our criminal code, making it more transparent and equitable, and will promote public safety.”

The law now goes to Congress, and the federal legislatures will decide if it will become law.