Attorney General Schwalb Testifies in Support of “Road Act”, OAG Legislation Aimed at Improving Outcomes in the Juvenile Justice System

Bill Mandates DYRS Reform, Independent Oversight & Strengthens Court’s Power to Intervene

WASHINGTON, DC – Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb today testified in support of the Recidivism Reduction, Oversight, and Accountability for DYRS ACT or “ROAD Act”, a bill he introduced in May of this year to hold the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) – the DC agency responsible for supervising and rehabilitating youth found responsible for a crime – accountable for better public safety outcomes in the juvenile justice system.

The most recent and comprehensive data from the Mayor’s Criminal Justice Coordinating Council – a 2022 study of juvenile system outcomes – reveals that 92.7% of young people committed to DYRS are subsequently re-arrested, and nearly half are convicted of a new offense.

“The recidivism rates for youth who, after being prosecuted by my office are committed to DYRS custody, are unacceptably high. Too many committed youth are waiting far too long before receiving the services and supports necessary to ensure that they don’t commit another offense once released,” said Attorney General Schwalb. “The ROAD Act offers a roadmap to better public safety outcomes by getting DYRS back on track and reducing recidivism in the juvenile justice system, and I urge the Council to pass it swiftly.”

The ROAD Act:

  • Requires DYRS to significantly reform its supervision and intervention practices to ensure improved public safety outcomes and reductions in recidivism among committed young people.
     
  • Strengthens the DC Superior Court’s authority to intervene when it becomes clear that DYRS is not providing appropriate services and placements for young people in its care.  
     
  • Mandates permanent, independent oversight of DYRS to increase accountability and transparency regarding their internal decision-making.

Attorney General Schwalb’s testimony is available here.

The full bill text is available here.

OAG’s Efforts to Improve Public Safety

The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) uses every legal tool available to reduce violent crime, especially crime involving firearms. OAG is the District’s chief prosecutor of crimes committed by juveniles, while the federally appointed US Attorney prosecutes most crimes committed by adults, including all adult felonies.

OAG prosecutes all serious juvenile violent offenses when it has the evidence to do so, holding kids accountable when they cause harm while working to make sure they get the resources they need to help prevent them from re-offending. Last year, OAG prosecuted 88% of the most serious cases, including homicide and attempted homicide, and 81% of gun possession cases.

Earlier this month, AG Schwalb sued three Maryland gun stores for facilitating illegal gun trafficking into the District, in an effort to combat the flood of illegal weapons into DC that is fueling much of the deadly violence. Per ATF, approximately 95% of firearms recovered in DC were originally purchased elsewhere, usually in Maryland or Virginia. 

OAG defends the District’s common-sense gun laws—including prohibitions on large-capacity magazines and carrying firearms on public transportation—against legal challenges, and seeks Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs), when appropriate, to remove firearms and ammunition from those who pose a danger to themselves or others. 

In March, Attorney General Schwalb announced $1.5 million in new grant funding – a combination of public-private partnerships – for 11 “Leaders of Tomorrow” youth violence prevention awardees, which are high-impact local nonprofit organizations serving DC youth and families. These grants build on OAG’s commitment to critical prevention work, which alongside effective policing and prosecution, is an essential part of any comprehensive public safety strategy.

Additionally, OAG filed and won a first-of-its-kind lawsuit against ghost gun manufacturer Polymer80, which was selling kits that enabled individuals to build untraceable ghost guns in their homes. As a result, Polymer80 was ordered to pay more than $4 million in penalties and to permanently stop selling its frames, receivers, and Buy, Build, Shoot kits to DC consumers.

OAG also funds and supports Cure the Streets, a community-based violence-reduction program that employs a targeted public-health approach to disrupt cycles of gun violence in District neighborhoods that traditionally have the highest rates of gun violence. In 2023, despite District-wide increases in gun violence, the rates of violent gun crimes across Cure The Streets’ 10 target communities decreased.