Judge Sentences Domestic Violence Defendant Under YRA

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A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a felony domestic violence defendant under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA.)

Delante Pitt, 25, pleaded guilty to assault with significant bodily injury felony in August. As part of a plea agreement, the prosecution dropped his other case, in which he was charged with simple assault. 

Judge Julie Becker sentenced Pitt to 12 months, all of which were suspended, plus 18 months of probation.

“I’m not a bad person, and I don’t have a background,” said Pitt. “I don’t have notorious charges, I’m a family guy.”

During the Oct. 9 sentencing, the prosecution requested an extended period of probation and asked for a stay away order. 

Defense attorney Daniel Dorsey requested 18 months of probation to give his client time to satisfy the conditions of his probation.

Judge Becker recognized that the fundamental problem is the defendant’s mental health. She required the defendant to take mental health evaluations, substance abuse treatment, parenting classes and anger management classes as part of his probation. 

Pitt must also comply with a stay away order and pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime (VVC) fund.