RSSImplementation and Effects of Recent Revisions to the Disorderly Conduct Law
Implementation and Effects of Recent Revisions to the Disorderly Conduct Law
Councilmember Phil Mendelson, Chairperson of the Committee on the Judiciary, announces a public oversight hearing on the implementation and effects of recent revisions to the Disorderly Conduct law. The hearing will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 in Hearing Room 412 of the John A. Wilson Building.
The purpose of this oversight hearing is to hear testimony from government and public witnesses regarding the implementation and effects of revisions adopted one year ago to the disorderly conduct chapter of the D.C. Code. Bill 18-425, the Disorderly Conduct Amendment Act of 2010, now D.C. Law 18-375, updated and clarified the District’s most-used disorderly conduct provisions, with the hope that it would enable everybody – police, citizens, and the accused – to understand what conduct is sufficiently undesirable that it warrants criminal sanction. This public oversight hearing will explore whether problems continue with the application of this law, whether the revisions helped, and what further changes (if any) should be considered.
Those who wish to testify should register online or contact Ms. Jessica Jacobs, Legislative Counsel, at (202) 724-7808, by fax at (202) 724-6664, or via e-mail at jjacobs@dccouncil.us, and provide their name, address, telephone number, organizational affiliation and title (if any) by close of business Monday, January 30, 2012. Persons wishing to testify are encouraged, but not required, to submit 15 copies of written testimony. If submitted by the close of business on Monday, January 30, 2012 the testimony will be distributed to Councilmembers before the hearing. Witnesses should limit their testimony to five minutes; less time will be allowed if there are a large number of witnesses.
If you are unable to testify at the roundtable, written statements are encouraged and will be made a part of the official record. Copies of written statements should be submitted either to Ms. Jacobs, or to Ms. Nyasha Smith, Secretary to the Council, Room 5 of the Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20004. The record will close at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 15, 2012.