The Secure DC Omnibus bill, or “crimnibus”, will expand criminalization in DC by 1) creating new crimes and expanding who can be prosecuted for existing crimes, 2) politicizing the DC Sentencing Commission, and 3) creating new sentencing enhancements and expanding mandatory minimums

DC deserves better than this piecemeal and highly politicized approach to reforming the criminal code. History has shown us that we can’t mass incarcerate our way to safety. Let’s not make the same catastrophic mistakes again.

Sample script:

Ideally call all 13 members. But if you can’t, prioritize calling your Ward’s Councilmember, the Chairman, and the at-large members! Remember to mention that you are a DC resident and/or a resident of that councilmember’s ward. Use the whole script or use just a section of it to leave a message on a issue you want to highlight!

Hi, My name is _____, and I am calling to ask you to REJECT the provisions in the Secure DC Omnibus that expand mandatory minimums, lengthen prison sentences, and change the Sentencing Commission.

Secure DC will create new crimes for conduct that is already illegal and expand who can be prosecuted for some existing crimes. These inconsistent, unscientific changes to the criminal code will likely lead to disproportionate and excessive sentences. For example, under this bill stealing someone’s car key will have a harsher penalty than second degree murder!

Secure DC will also politicize the Sentencing Commission by creating more Commissioners appointed by the Mayor and adding the MPD Chief as a voting member. Changing the makeup of the Commission will only make it harder for them to make decisions rooted in research and best practices.

Lastly, Secure DC will expand mandatory minimums by expanding who can be prosecuted for crimes that have mandatory minimums. According to the Council’s OWN Office of Racial Equity, lengthening prison sentences for these offenses that are already criminalized will not improve public safety but will result in a higher number of incarcerated Black residents. Mandatory sentencing has been a key driver of mass incarceration has contributed to DC having one of the highest incarceration rates in the country.

DC deserves better than this piecemeal and highly politicized approach to reforming the criminal code. History has shown us that we can’t mass incarcerate our way to safety. Let’s not make the same catastrophic mistakes again. Councilmember, can I count on you to REJECT the provisions in Secure DC that create new crimes, expand prosecution, lengthen prison sentences, and politicize the makeup of the Sentencing Commission?

Phone numbers:

If you can, please call all 13 councilmembers. But if you can’t, prioritize calling your Ward’s Councilmember, the Chairman, and the At-large members! Remember to mention that you are a DC resident and/or a resident of that councilmember’s ward. Don’t know what Ward you’re in? Find out here.

Learn more:

New Crimes and Expanded Prosecution  

• The crimnibus will create new crimes for conduct that is already illegal and expand who can be prosecuted for some existing crimes.
• These inconsistent, unscientific changes to the criminal code will likely lead to disproportionate and excessive sentences. For example:
  • Expanded prosecution: The crimnibus will expand the definition of carjacking to include taking someone’s car key from their hands (currently punishable by 2 to 15 years in prison), thereby expanding the sentencing range to 7 to 40 years – harsher than the penalty for second degree murder.
    • New crimes: The crimnibus creates the new offense of “organized retail theft”, a type of burglary that will be punishable by 2 to 15 years in prison. But DC already has the longest average sentence for burglary in the country.
• These provisions are all about punishment, and have nothing to do with real public safety. DC Council should REJECT all provisions that create new crimes or expand prosecution of existing crimes.

DC Sentencing Commission

• The DC Sentencing Commission is a non-partisan panel of experts, practitioners, and civilians who are charged with studying and revising the DC Sentencing Guidelines.
• The crimnibus will politicize the Sentencing Commission by creating more Commissioners appointed by the Mayor and adding the MPD Chief as a voting member.
• Changing the makeup of the Commission will only make it harder for them to make decisions rooted in research and best practices
• MPD is particularly poorly suited to weigh in, given that they play no part in sentencing.
• Adding more mayoral appointees and making MPD a voting member will delegitimize and undermine the integrity of the Sentencing Commission. DC Council should REJECT all provisions that change the makeup of the Commission.

Mandatory Minimums and Sentencing Enhancements

• The crimnibus will expand who can be prosecuted for crimes that have mandatory minimums.
• The bill will also create new sentencing enhancements for certain crimes. According to the DC Council Office of Racial Equity, lengthening sentences for these offenses that are already criminalized will not improve public safety but will result in a higher number of incarcerated Black residents.
• Mandatory minimum sentences make people less safe and should be eliminated from this omnibus, current District law, and future legislative proposals. The majority of Americans and 77 percent of DC residents agree.
• Mandatory sentencing has been a key driver of mass incarceration by dramatically increasing the lengths of imposed sentences and has contributed to DC having one of the highest incarceration rates in the country. DC Council should REJECT all provisions that add or expand mandatory minimums.