DC parents could face jail over 'teen takeovers' under Pirro move
Key takeaways
- Parents and adults aware of or who allow children to engage in delinquent acts may face criminal penalties of up to six months of incarceration, with charges enforced regardless if a child is prosecuted separately.
- Teen takeovers have disrupted neighborhoods, forced businesses to close temporarily, and diverted valuable law enforcement resources from the residents of the District, Pirro said in a statement from her office.
- Pirro s office cannot prosecute juveniles except if they are tried as adults for certain violent crimes.
Why this matters: political developments that affect policy direction and public trust.
Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro on Friday said her office will increase the jail time penalties for Washington, D.C., parents who do not adhere to curfew laws, which she cited as a consequence of teen takeovers.
Parents and adults aware of or who allow children to engage in delinquent acts may face criminal penalties of up to six months of incarceration, with charges enforced regardless if a child is prosecuted separately.
Teen takeovers have disrupted neighborhoods, forced businesses to close temporarily, and diverted valuable law enforcement resources from the residents of the District, Pirro said in a statement from her office. These incidents have become increasingly common in areas such as Navy Yard and NoMa and are often accompanied by criminal conduct, including assaults, robberies, fights, and other disorderly behavior.