PRIA Logo™
119-s-3133119th Congress

Violent Juvenile Offender Accountability Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Senator Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]

Introduced

Summary

Direct federal prosecution of 16- and 17‑year‑olds for certain violent crimes without a motion from the Attorney General. This bill would let U.S. district courts begin criminal cases against juveniles age 16 or older for homicide, aggravated assault, motor vehicle theft, robbery tied to firearms, and aggravated sexual abuse without a transfer motion from the Attorney General.

Show full summary
  • Young people ages 16 and 17 alleged to have the listed crimes could face federal charges in U.S. district court instead of going through a transfer request.
  • U.S. attorneys could initiate federal prosecutions for these offenses without seeking a motion to transfer from the Attorney General.
  • Victims of the specified violent crimes may see more cases handled in federal court, shifting where some prosecutions occur.

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Federal prosecution for violent teens

This bill would let federal prosecutors begin district-court criminal cases without an Attorney General transfer motion when a juvenile is age 16 or older and accused of certain violent crimes. Covered crimes include homicide, aggravated assault (18 U.S.C. 111(b)), motor vehicle theft (18 U.S.C. 2119), robbery under 18 U.S.C. 1951 when a related 18 U.S.C. 924(c) gun charge applies, and aggravated sexual abuse (18 U.S.C. 2241) when 924(c) applies. If enacted, this would make it easier for federal authorities to prosecute these 16- and 17-year-olds and could shift some cases from juvenile court to federal court.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]

TN • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 11/6/2025

  • Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR]

    AR • R

    Sponsored 11/6/2025

  • Sen. Hagerty, Bill [R-TN]

    TN • R

    Sponsored 11/6/2025

  • Sen. Sheehy, Tim [R-MT]

    MT • R

    Sponsored 11/6/2025

  • Sen. Hawley, Josh [R-MO]

    MO • R

    Sponsored 3/16/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation