All Roll Calls
Yes: 225 • No: 203
119-hr-5140119th Congress
To lower the age at which a minor may be tried as an adult for certain criminal offenses in the District of Columbia to 14 years of age.
Sponsored By: Representative Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26]
Passed House
Summary
This bill would lower District of Columbia juvenile-age thresholds so some youths as young as 14 can be excluded from Family Court and moved into criminal proceedings. It replaces references to "fifteen" and "sixteen" with "fourteen" in the cited D.C. Code sections, applying to offenses committed on or after enactment.
Show full summary
- Families: Parents and caregivers could see 14- and 15-year-olds handled in criminal court rather than Family Court for offenses after the law takes effect.
- Youths: Young people who previously fell under juvenile-only processes at 15 or 16 could be subject to criminal transfer starting at 14.
- Courts and prosecutors: The change extends criminal-justice processing to younger minors under the cited D.C. Code sections, shifting some cases away from Family Court.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Adult trials for 14- and 15-year-olds in D.C.
This bill would lower the age when D.C. can move a case from Family Court to adult court. Prosecutors could seek adult charges for some 14- and 15-year-olds. It replaces age limits of 15 and 16 with 14 in D.C. law. It would apply only to alleged crimes on or after the date it becomes law. Families could face tougher penalties and adult records for affected teens.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26]
TX • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Burchett, Tim [R-TN-2]
TN • R
Sponsored 9/8/2025
Rep. Higgins, Clay [R-LA-3]
LA • R
Sponsored 9/9/2025
Rep. Downing, Troy [R-MT-2]
MT • R
Sponsored 9/11/2025
Rep. Luna, Anna Paulina [R-FL-13]
FL • R
Sponsored 9/15/2025
Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2]
SC • R
Sponsored 9/16/2025
Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21]
NY • R
Sponsored 9/17/2025
Roll Call Votes
house vote • 9/16/2025
On Passage
Yes: 225 • No: 203