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Council extends Secure DC pretrial detention standard 90 days while awaiting CJCC report
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Summary
On an emergency vote the D.C. Council extended rebuttable-presumption pretrial detention provisions enacted under Secure DC for 90 days to allow the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) more time to complete an evaluation report. Councilmembers pledged to shorten the temporary timeline before final action.
The Council of the District of Columbia voted unanimously to extend, on an emergency basis, the Secure DC pretrial detention provisions that expand the rebuttable presumption for detention in certain violent-crime cases. Councilmember Pinto said the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) needs an additional 90 days to complete reports evaluating the pretrial detention and juvenile justice changes enacted under Secure DC.
"Therefore, the emergency extends the rebuttable presumption provisions on an emergency basis to allow for the CJCC to submit its report to the council," Councilmember Pinto said, explaining the extension will permit the CJCC to provide the data the Council requested. Pinto also introduced a temporary bill to follow the emergency declaration so the Council has time to review the CJCC report and decide whether to adopt permanent language.
Several councilmembers expressed concern about open-ended or repeated extensions. Councilmember Louis French said the extension "appears to be a reasonable extension requested by CJCC" but warned, "I will not vote for a second extension," pressing for a shorter review window when the temporary bill returns. Councilmember Robert White and others urged that the council act on evidence and not allow the provisions to continue indefinitely without review.
Pinto committed on the record to seek amendments before second reading of the temporary bill to shorten the review period (members discussed 45 to 60 days as possible targets). The transcript records the emergency declaration (PR26-48) and the underlying emergency bill (Bill 20681) approved unanimously on the floor; the accompanying temporary measure (Bill 20682) received first-reading approval with a commitment to amend the timeframe before second reading.
The CJCC will deliver the report during the extension period; the Council did not adopt new permanent language at this meeting. No vote tallies with individual member yes/no were recorded in the transcript; the Secretary recorded several members as present during votes.
