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By
D.C. Witness Staff
- July 2, 2020
Court
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Daily Stories
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Homicides
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On July 2, a judge decided to terminate a defendant’s probation, which was scheduled to expire on July 3, and excuse him of his final community service requirement due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Malik Bullocks pleaded guilty to carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business in March of 2019.
In July of 2019, he was sentenced to six months in confinement. The time was suspended under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA). Bullocks was also sentenced to one year of probation under YRA, 90 hours of community service and had to pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime Act fund.
His probation requirements included maintaining or seeking employment, participating in a life skills program, participating in the Vocational Opportunities, Training, Education, and Employment (VOTEE) program and a general education diploma preparation program.
The prosecution said that Bullocks had been in compliance since March but had been out of compliance for the majority of his probation.
Bullocks’ probation officer said, however, that he was only out of compliance with his community service and life skills program because of the pandemic. She also mentioned he is required to contact her twice a week, which he is in compliance with.
She requested that his probation either be terminated or an extension be put in place in order for him to complete his requirements, though she was uncertain when he may be able to do that given the health crisis.
Bullocks’ defense attorney, Christopher Mutimer, agreed with probation and requested that his supervision be terminated.
District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Juliet McKenna noted that this was Bullocks’ first contact with the criminal justice system. He has remained arrest free since 2017, which is when he was first arrested for his felony conviction.
Judge McKenna removed the community service requirement and terminated Bullocks’ probation. Bullocks’ final requirement is to pay $100 to the fund, which is due on July 3.