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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.
9/24/2025, 1:37 PM
Summary of Bill HR 5140
The bill "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" was introduced in the 119th Congress on September 4, 2025.
Congressional Summary of HR 5140
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.
Read the Full Bill
Current Status of Bill HR 5140
Bill HR 5140 is currently in the status of Introduced to Senate since September 17, 2025. Bill HR 5140 was introduced during Congress 119 and was introduced to the House on September 4, 2025. Bill HR 5140's most recent activity was Received in the Senate. as of September 17, 2025
Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 5140
Total Number of Sponsors
1Democrat Sponsors
0Republican Sponsors
1Unaffiliated Sponsors
0Total Number of Cosponsors
21Democrat Cosponsors
0Republican Cosponsors
21Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 5140
Primary Policy Focus
Crime and Law EnforcementPotential Impact Areas
- Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
- District of Columbia
- Juvenile crime and gang violence
- Violent crime
Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 5140
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.
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.
Comments
Sponsors and Cosponsors of HR 5140
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