Washington D.C. Conviction rates for Homicides and Non-fatal Shootings
Incidents and Arrests for Homicides and Non-fatal Shootings
'21-'22
313
Incidents
163 arrests
'22-'23
430
Incidents
191 arrests
'23-'24
507
Incidents
274 arrests
'24-'25
442
Incidents
140 arrests
Using data compiled from public records, public announcements, and court proceeding, DC Witness tracked conviction rates for violent crimes in Washington D.C. year-on-year.
- Time samples are from June 1, 2021 to May 31, 2025 - dates chosen to match complete data sets available in Washington D.C..
- Caveat: legal proceeding may still be ongoing, concluded in subsequent years or moved to other jurisdictions. This chart only tracks arrests for violent crimes in the same calendar year in Washington D.C..
- Data is derived from full population and not sampled.
- Data is accurate of 4/27/26.
The following charts show how homicides and non-fatal shootings are resolved through the criminal justice program
Most incidents do not result in a punishment
Systems involved:
Police
After making an arrest, police turn over evidence to prosecutors in the State's Attorney's office.
Prosecutors
The State's Attorney's Office evaluates police evidence and decides whether to bring, or drop charges. Many cases are dropped for reasons ranging from lack of evidence to the case being tried in other jurisdictions.
Percentage of incidents with at least one nolle pros between June '21 and May '25.
2.8%
of incidents fall at this first hurdle for reasons such as lack of evidence and witness statements.
Systems involved:
Prosecutors
The decision to offer a plea deal belongs to the prosecutor, who may negotiate with the defense attorney on the terms of the plea agreement.
Defense
Defense attorneys may also seek a plea deal from prosecutors. It is up to the defendant whether to accept or reject a plea.
Judge
All plea deals must be approved by the trial judge.
Percentage of incidents with at least one plea agreement between June '21 and May '25.
20.5%
of incidents never go to trial because the defendant is offered a plea deal which they accept.
Systems involved:
Prosecutors
Prosecutors represent the state and seek to prove the guilt of the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt.
Defence Attorney
Defense attorneys represent their client in defending against the efforts and arguments of prosecutors.
Judge & Jury
12 citizens hear the evidence and decide the verdict. The Judge oversees and sets the rules for the trial and sets the punishment if there is a guilty verdict.
Percentage of incidents with at least one trial conviction between June '21 and May '25.
Finally, only
34.2%
of incidents result in guilty judgements for homicide or non-fatal shooting after a trial.
Summary Criminal Justice Punishment
The data gathered by DC Witness shows that over the four years starting June 2021, about half of the incidents of shootings or homicides within the city of Washington D.C. resulted in a judicial punishment.
Over the four years starting June 1, 2021, just 54.7% of non-fatal shootings and homicides resulted in one or more convictions or guilty pleas.
This data is offered as a snapshot of how the Washington D.C. criminal justice system is performing. It is not intended to address frequent assertions of discrimination and abuse. Nor is it intended to ascribe blame. Criminal justice is a set of interlocking players with complex interactions that can affect outcomes.
The question to be answered is what effect, if any, does this low punishment rate have on the likelihood of further violence?
54.7%
Guilty judgements for 2021-2025
Incidents with no arrested suspect (1773)
Unresolved cases (521)
Accepted pleas (347)
Nolle pros (47)
Guilty verdicts (578)
Total, '21-'25