Statement from Councilmember Allen on U.S. District Court of Appeals denying En banc hearing on concealed carry “good reason” requirement

Following the U.S. Court of Appeals - District of Columbia Circuit’s denial of an En banc hearing to appeal the 2-1 ruling against DC’s “good reason” requirement when applying for a concealed carry permit, DC Councilmember Charles Allen (Ward 6), chair of the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety, issued the following statement:

Councilmember Allen Introduces Bill Reforming
Youth Rehabilitation Act

Today, Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen, Chair of the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety, introduced comprehensive legislation to reform the Youth Rehabilitation Act (the “YRA”), a law passed in 1985 to provide a second chance to young adults convicted of eligible crimes.

Reforming the “YRA”: The “Youth Rehabilitation Amendment Act of 2017”

Download this document as a PDF here.

What is the Youth Rehabilitation Act? 

Under the District’s Youth Rehabilitation Act of 1985, or the “YRA”, young adults under the age of 22 convicted of, and sentenced for, a crime are eligible to have their convictions “set aside” if they successfully complete their sentence. They may also be eligible for different sentencing options. This means their conviction won’t be a barrier to future jobs and housing, for example, but can still be used in determining their sentence if they commit another crime or to place them on the sex offender registry, among other uses. Certain offenses are currently ineligible for YRA sentencing and the set aside: murder, first degree murder that constitutes an act of terrorism, and second degree murder that constitutes an act of terrorism. The YRA also requires specific facilities for the treatment and rehabilitation of YRA-sentenced young adults.

WASHINGTON, DC – DC Councilmember Charles Allen (Ward 6) released the following statement in response to an incident on Sunday, August 13 at the William H. Rumsey Aquatics Center located in Eastern Market. 

10^th Career Fair Hosted by Councilmember Allen Brings 1,100 Job Seekers and The Wharf Together  

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen, in partnership with Councilmember Elissa Silverman (At-Large) and the DC Department of Employment Services, welcomes more than 1,100 Ward 6 and DC residents to Arena Stage for his office’s 10^th Career Fair. 

Statement from Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen, Chair of the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety, regarding the US Attorney’s Office declining prosecution in the case of Terrence Sterling: 

"My heart goes out to the family and friends of Terrence Sterling, who for months have sought answers regarding his death. I cannot imagine the pain of losing a child or a sibling and then waiting more than nine months only to be told there will be no recourse through the judicial system. It is a tragedy that this exchange - which at minimum broke several MPD policies and practices - resulted in the loss of Mr. Sterling's life.

Statement from Councilmember Charles Allen on D.C. Circuit Court Ruling on DC’s Concealed Carry Permit Requirements

Media Contact: Erik Salmi 202-724-8063/ 202-445-0834

WASHINGTON, DC – Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen, Chair of the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety, released the following statement regarding today’s 2-1 ruling by the D.C. Circuit Court enjoining DC’s “good reason” concealed carry requirement: 

Monday: Councilmember Allen to Hold Hearing on Bills Reforming Campaign Finance and Elections

Councilmember Charles Allen, Chair of the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety, will lead a public hearing on four bills all focused on providing reforms and updates to laws governing how campaigns and elections are run.

What: Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety Public Hearing

Where: Room 500 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC

When: Monday, July 10 beginning at 9:30 am

Councilmember Allen to Introduce Emergency Legislation to Protect DC Voters’ Personal Information From Presidential “Election Integrity” Commission

Media Contact: Erik Salmi 202-445-0834

WASHINGTON, DC – Councilmember Charles Allen, in his role as Chair of the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety, which has oversight over the District’s Board of Elections, issued the following statement regarding a request from the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity for every state and the District of Columbia to turn over voters’ personal information – including name, address, last-four digits of social security numbers, date of birth, party affiliation, and voting history back to 2006: “No.”