Blackburn, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Crack Down on Violent Juvenile Crime

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) introduced the Violent Juvenile Offender Accountability Act, which would make it easier to bring federal criminal charges against certain violent juvenile offenders who are over the age of 16:

"Violent criminals shouldn't be let off the hook just because they are under the age of 18," said Senator Blackburn. "We must hold violent juvenile offenders accountable for their actions while also working to prevent youth crime in the first place. The Violent Juvenile Offender Accountability Act would build upon my work to combat juvenile crime by empowering prosecutors to bring federal criminal charges against offenders aged 16 and older."

"Age should not absolve someone of a heinous crime like murder, armed robbery, or assault on a federal officer," said Senator Cornyn."Our bill would ensure U.S. Attorneys have sole discretion to try a juvenile who commits certain violent crimes as an adult, ensuring no criminal is let off easy because of their age by a light-on-crime court."

"Our bill will help keep Arkansas communities safe by holding teenagers over the age of 16 accountable for violent crimes," said Senator Cotton.

"All Americans deserve safe streets where they do not have to worry about violent criminals robbing, assaulting, or murdering them or their families, but for too long, these crimes have gone unpunished and terrorized far too many communities," said Senator Sheehy."Ensuring Americans have safe communities to live in is both common sense and one of government's most basic duties, and we're working to deliver with this bill to restore law and order and protect hardworking, law-abiding families across the nation."

BACKGROUND

• Very few juveniles between the ages of 16 and 18 are currently prosecuted in the federal criminal system because the process to move a case from the juvenile system to the adult system is long and complicated. This "transfer" process has contributed to the very low number of federal juvenile prosecutions.

• A 2025 Department of Justice report found that juveniles accounted for just 1.2% of all defendants charged in federal district court in fiscal year 2023.

THE VIOLENT JUVENILE OFFENDER ACCOUNTABILITY ACT

• The Violent Juvenile Offender Accountability Act would amend the federal criminal code and circumvent the "transfer" process by making clear that any juvenile who's 16 years old or older and is accused of committing certain violent crimes like homicide, assault, carjacking, robbery, or aggravated sexual abuse may be prosecuted without having to go through the transfer process.

• In May, Senator Blackburn also introduced the AFTER SCHOOL Act, which would establish a grant program administered through the U.S. Department of Justice for localities to receive funds to establish, maintain, and strengthen after school programs proven to reduce juvenile crime and recidivism.

ENDORSEMENTS

The Violent Juvenile Offender Accountability Actis endorsed by Tennessee State Senator Brent Taylor:

"I strongly support Senator Marsha Blackburn's Violent Juvenile Offender Accountability Act. Juvenile crime has been a big focus of mine while I've worked to Make Memphis Matter in Tennessee's Senate, and I've seen firsthand the devastating impact of violent crimes committed by juveniles who are let out of jail within hours of arrest because of a locally-elected Soros-backed district attorney. This legislation ensures that offenders aged 16 and older face appropriate federal prosecution for these serious offenses, promoting accountability and enhancing public safety in communities like Memphis. I urge the U.S. Congress to join Senator Blackburn in passing this critical measure to protect law-abiding citizens in cities across the country suffering from crime," said State Senator Taylor.

RELATED

• ICYMI: Blackburn Hosts Roundtable Discussion on Preventing Juvenile Crime in Memphis

• Blackburn Introduces Bills to Combat Juvenile Crime and Crack Down on Carjacking

Click here for bill text.