Title 16: Charged as Adults
In Washington, DC, the US Attorney's Office has the power to charge juveniles as adults for certain offenses without a judge's approval. This is known as "Title 16" or "Direct File."
- No Judicial Review: Prosecutors decide unilaterally, bypassing the juvenile court judge.
- Adult Prison: 16 and 17-year-olds can be sent to adult federal prisons thousands of miles from home.
- Lifetime Consequences: An adult felony record permanently bars youth from housing, jobs, and education.
Overcrowding Crisis
In 2024, the Youth Services Center (YSC) reached critical capacity, forcing youth to sleep on cots in gymnasiums and common areas due to a spike in arrests and slower processing times.
Education Denied
While detained, youth are supposed to receive education. However, reports indicate that due to staffing shortages and lockdowns, many students receive little to no instruction, falling further behind in school.
