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.

This bill significantly alters the juvenile justice system in the District of Columbia by lowering the age at which a minor can be tried as an adult for specific criminal offenses. Currently, minors must be at least 16 years old to be excluded from Family Court jurisdiction and transferred to adult criminal proceedings. The proposed legislation reduces this threshold to 14 years of age.

Specifically, the bill amends two sections of the District of Columbia Official Code. It revises Section 16-2301 to allow for the exclusion of 14-year-olds from Family Court jurisdiction and modifies Section 16-2307(a) to permit the transfer of 14-year-olds to adult criminal proceedings. These provisions will take effect for all criminal offenses committed on or after the date of the bill's enactment.