WASHINGTON, D.C. – D.C. Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb today issued the following statement on the passage of the Revised Criminal Code Act:

“The Council’s vote today culminates the process of bringing our criminal code into the modern era. Passage of the Revised Criminal Code Act (RCCA) is a critical step towards improving public safety across the District and combating inequities that, for decades, have adversely affected so many in our city.

We know that locking more people up for longer periods of time does not make our community safer. The RCCA replaces decades-old approaches that do not work with fair, science-based reforms. Passage of the RCCA will enhance the clarity, credibility and confidence in our criminal justice system, ultimately making DC a safer place to live and work.

The Office of Attorney General (OAG) now looks forward to working with the Mayor, the Council, the Metropolitan Police Department, the Courts, the Public Defender Service and community stakeholders to make sure these long overdue reforms are implemented effectively and equitably.

OAG will work closely with federal and local partners to make sure we have the training and resources needed to effectively implement these reforms. We will also continue to advocate for meaningful self-governance and control over all aspects of our local criminal justice system so that D.C.’s elected officials have the ability to execute on comprehensive strategies to make our city safer.”