Norton Reintroduces Her Bill to Give D.C. Authority to Grant Clemency to Offenders Convicted Under Local D.C. Laws

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) reintroduced the District of Columbia Clemency Home Rule Act, which would give D.C. exclusive authority, as the states and territories have, to grant clemency for D.C. crimes.

While D.C. law appears to give the mayor authority to grant clemency, under current practice, clemency petitions for D.C. crimes, like federal crimes, are submitted to the Department of Justice for the president's consideration. The District of Columbia Clemency Home Rule Act would give D.C. the discretion to establish its own clemency system. The House Committee on Oversight and Reform passed this bill as part of the District of Columbia Home Rule Expansion Act in the 117^th Congress.

"States and territories have full control over their criminal justice systems, including clemency. D.C. also should have full control over its criminal justice system," Norton said. "Since the D.C. Council has authority to enact local D.C. laws, D.C. officials are in the best position to grant clemency for D.C. crimes."

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