Strong Sentences for Safer D.C. Streets Act of 2025

This bill makes prison sentences in Washington, D.C., much tougher for certain violent crimes. It requires life in prison without parole for first-degree murder, and it allows that sentence even for people under 18 who are convicted of first-degree murder . It also sets new mandatory minimums for second-degree murder, rape, first-degree sexual abuse, kidnapping, carjacking, and first-degree burglary. It changes some rules so judges can give longer sentences in certain serious sexual abuse cases .

Key points

• Who is affected: People charged in D.C. with the crimes listed below, on or after the date this becomes law.
• What changes:
  • First-degree murder: mandatory life without parole.
  • Second-degree murder: at least 10 years, up to life.
  • Rape: at least 25 years; at least 30 years if the person has a prior violent-crime conviction.
  • First-degree sexual abuse: at least 25 years, up to life; also eases limits on giving sentences over 30 years in some cases .
  • Kidnapping: at least 10 years, up to 30 years.
  • Carjacking: at least 10 years if unarmed; at least 20 years if armed.
  • First-degree burglary: at least 10 years.
• When: Applies to charges filed on or after the day it becomes law.