D.C. Code § 23-1331 – Definitions.

*NOTE: The amendments to this section by section 30(k) of D.C. Law 25-175 shall expire on December 31, 2026.*

As used in this subchapter:

(1) The term “judicial officer” means, unless otherwise indicated, any person or court in the District of Columbia authorized pursuant to section 3041 of Title 18, United States Code, or the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, to bail or otherwise release a person before trial or sentencing or pending appeal in a court of the United States, and any judge of the Superior Court.
(2) The term “offense” means any criminal offense committed in the District of Columbia, other than an offense triable by court-martial, military commission, provost court, or other military tribunal, which is in violation of an Act of Congress.
(3) The term “dangerous crime” means:
1. (A) Any felony offense under Chapter 45 of Title 22 (Weapons) or Unit A of Chapter 25 of Title 7 (Firearms Control);
2. (B) Any felony offense under Chapter 27 of Title 22 (Prostitution, Pandering);
3. (C) Any felony offense under Unit A of Chapter 9 of Title 48 (Controlled Substances);
4. (D) Arson or attempted arson of any premises adaptable for overnight accommodation of persons or for carrying on business;
5. (E) Burglary or attempted burglary;
6. (F) Cruelty to children;
7. (G) Robbery or attempted robbery;
8. (H) Any felony offense under Chapter 30 of Title 22 (Sexual Abuse);
9. (I) Any felony offense established by the Prohibition Against Human Trafficking Amendment Act of 2010 [D.C. Law 18-239; § 22-1831 et seq.] or any conspiracy to commit such an offense; or
10. (J) Fleeing from an officer in a motor vehicle (felony).
(4) The term “crime of violence” means aggravated assault; act of terrorism; arson; assault on a police officer (felony); assault with a dangerous weapon; assault with intent to kill, commit first degree sexual abuse, commit second degree sexual abuse, or commit child sexual abuse; assault with significant bodily injury; assault with intent to commit any other offense; burglary; carjacking; armed carjacking; child sexual abuse; cruelty to children in the first degree; extortion or blackmail accompanied by threats of violence; gang recruitment, participation, or retention by the use or threatened use of force, coercion, or intimidation; kidnapping; malicious disfigurement; manslaughter; manufacture or possession of a weapon of mass destruction; mayhem; murder; robbery; sexual abuse in the first, second, or third degrees; misdemeanor sexual abuse pursuant to § 22-3006(b); misdemeanor sexual abuse of a child or minor pursuant to § 22-3010.01(a-1); strangulation; use, dissemination, or detonation of a weapon of mass destruction; or an attempt, solicitation, or conspiracy to commit any of the foregoing offenses.
(5) The term “addict” means any individual who habitually uses any narcotic drug as defined by section 4731 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 so as to endanger the public morals, health, safety, or welfare.
(6) The term “physical injury” means bodily harm greater than transient pain or minor temporary marks.

History

July 29, 1970, 84 Stat. 650, Pub. L. 91-358, title II, § 210(a)

July 28, 1989, D.C. Law 8-19, § 2(c), 36 DCR 2844

May 8, 1990, D.C. Law 8-120, § 2(c), 37 DCR 24

May 8, 1993, D.C. Law 9-270, § 3, 39 DCR 9223

Oct. 2, 1993, D.C. Law 10-26, § 3, 40 DCR 3416

Aug. 20, 1994, D.C. Law 10-151, § 101(e), 41 DCR 2608

May 23, 1995, D.C. Law 10-257, § 401(f), 42 DCR 53

June 3, 1997, D.C. Law 11-273, § 3(a), 43 DCR 6168

June 12, 2001, D.C. Law 13-310, § 2(e), 48 DCR 1648

Oct. 17, 2002, D.C. Law 14-194, § 156(b), 49 DCR 5306

Apr. 24, 2007, D.C. Law 16-306, § 224(c), 53 DCR 8610

May 5, 2007, D.C. Law 16-308, § 3(b), 54 DCR 942

Oct. 23, 2010, D.C. Law 18-239, § 206(b), 57 DCR 5405

Sept. 29, 2012, D.C. Law 19-170, § 4, 59 DCR 5691

June 19, 2013, D.C. Law 19-320, § 107(a), 60 DCR 3390

June 8, 2024, D.C. Law 25-175, § 30(h)

References in Text

Section 4731 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, referred to in paragraph (5), was repealed by § 1101(b)(3)(A) of Pub. L.

Emergency Legislation

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 107(a) of the Omnibus Criminal Code Amendment Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2013 (D.C. Act 20-44, April 1, 2013, 60 DCR 5381, 20 DCSTAT 1281).

For temporary amendment of section, see § 107(a) of the Omnibus Criminal Code Amendments Emergency Amendment Act of 2012 (D.C. Act 19-599, January 14, 2013, 60 DCR 1017).

For temporary amendment of (3)(A), see § 4 of the Firearms Second Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2012 (D.C. Act 19-510, October 26, 2012, 59 DCR 12808).

For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 4 of Firearms Emergency Amendment Act of 2012 (D.C. Act 19-352, May 11, 2012,

For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 224(c) of Omnibus Public Safety Second Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2007 (D.C. Act 17-25, April 19, 2007, 54 DCR 4036).

For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 3(b) of Crime Reduction Initiative (Rebuttable Presumption) Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2007 (D.C. Act 17-24, April 19, 2007, 54 DCR 4033).

For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 224(c) of Omnibus Public Safety Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2007 (D.C. Act 17-10, January 16, 2007, 54 DCR 1479).

For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 102(b) of Crime Reduction Initiative Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2007 (D.C. Act 17-9, January 16, 2007, 54 DCR 1471).

For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 103 of Crime Reduction Initiative Emergency Amendment Act of 2006 (D.C. Act 16-491, October 19, 2006, 53 DCR 8818).

For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 224(c) of Omnibus Public Safety Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2006 (D.C. Act 16-490, October 18, 2006, 53 DCR 8686).

For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 303 of Enhanced Crime Prevention and Abatement Emergency Amendment Act of 2006 (D.C. Act 16-446, July 21, 2006, 53 DCR 6477).

For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 224(c) of Omnibus Public Safety Emergency Amendment Act of 2006 (D.C. Act 16-445, July 19, 2006, 53 DCR 6443).

For temporary amendment of section, see § 101(e) of the Omnibus Criminal Justice Reform Emergency Amendment Act of 1994 (D.C. Act 10-255, June 22, 1994, 41 DCR 4286).

Prior Codifications

1973 Ed., § 23-1331.

1981 Ed., § 23-1331.

Section References

This section is referenced in § 5-116.01, § 5-132.21, § 7-1301.03, § 7-2501.01, § 16-2310, § 16-2310.01, § 16-2331, § 16-2332, § 16-2333, § 16-4205, § 22-951, § 22-1803, § 22-1805a, § 22-2107, § 22-3215, § 22-3611, § 22-4131, § 22-4501, § 22-4503, § 23-1322, § 23-1323, § 23-1329, § 24-211.07, § 24-403.01, § 24-531.05, § 24-531.08, § 24-531.09, and § 48-1002.

Cross References

Attempt, see § 22-1803.

Applicability

Applicability of D.C. Law 25-175: § 45 of D.C. Law 25-175 provided that the amendment of this section by § 30(h) of D.C. Law 25-175 is subject to the inclusion of the law’s fiscal effect in an approved budget and financial plan. Therefore that amendment has not been implemented.

The District's Chief Financial Officer stated in a letter to the Council's Budget Director, dated August 5, 2024, that the amendment of this section by D.C. Law 25-175 has been funded. Therefore that amendment has been implemented.

Expiration of Law

Section 7290(b) of D.C. Law 25-217 provided that the amendments made to this section by § 30(h) of D.C. Law 25-175 shall expire 225 days after October 1, 2024.

Section 2(b) of D.C. Law 26-14 provided that the amendments made to this section by § 30(h) of D.C. Law 25-175 shall expire on July 15, 2025.

Section 7(b)(2) of D.C. Act 26-109 provided that the amendments made to this section by § 30(h) of D.C. Law 25-175 shall expire on December 31, 2026.

Section 7(b)(2) of D.C. Act 26-169 provided that the amendments made to this section by § 30(h) of D.C. Law 25-175 shall expire on December 31, 2026.

Section 8(b)(2) of D.C. Law 26-52 provided that the amendments made to this section by § 30(h) of D.C. Law 25-175 shall expire on December 31, 2026.

Section 7(b)(2) of D.C. Law 26-81 provided that the amendments made to this section by § 30(h) of D.C. Law 25-175 shall expire on December 31, 2026.