The Superior Court of the District of Columbia, commonly referred to as DC Superior Court, is the trial court for the District of Columbia. It hears cases involving criminal and civil law, as well as family court, landlord and tenant, probate, tax, and driving violations (no permit and DUI). All appeals of Superior Court decisions go to the District of Columbia Court of Appeals (though magistrate judge opinions are first appealed to a Superior Court Associate Judge)
The Superior Court was established by the United States Congress as the trial court of general jurisdiction for D.C. in 1970. The Court consists of a chief judge and 61 associate judges. The Court is assisted by the service of 24 magistrate judges, as well as retired judges who have been recommended and approved as senior judges. Judges are appointed to the court by the DC Judicial Nominations Commission, which sends three candidates' names to the President of the United States, the President selects one and sends it to the U.S. Senate, for advice and consent. If the Senate confirms a judge, he or she serves for a 15-year term, which is renewable. The Superior Court and the DC Court of Appeals, known collectively as the DC Courts, comprise the judicial branch of DC local Government.
In Superior Court, the government is represented by the Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia or the District of Columbia, Office of the Attorney General, depending on the nature and severity of the crime or civil matter.
Organizational units
- Civil Division â€" Civil actions and actions in equity; handles temporary restraining orders other than those involving domestic violence. The Article III United States federal courts have jurisdiction over some civil matters within the District of Columbia, and handle criminal cases involving violations of federal law.
- Civil Actions Branch â€" Amount in controversy above $10,000 or cases requesting equitable relief such as declarative judgments, injunctive relief, writs of attachment
- Landlord and Tenant Branch â€" processes cases filed for possession of real property or violations of lease agreements. The Landlord Tenant Resource Center can assist those who do not have an attorney. The Center is located in Room 115 of Court Building B (510 Fourth Street, NW) and is open weekdays, 9:15 to noon.
- Small Claims and Conciliation Branch â€" Amount in controversy below $10,000. There is a Small Claims Resource Center to assist those without an attorney. It is located in Court Building B, Room 102, 9:15 to noon on Thursdays.
- Housing Conditions Calendar handles cases in which landlords are alleged to have not kept their rental property compliant with the DC Housing Code.
- Criminal Division â€" This division handles cases including Misdemeanor, felony, and serious traffic offenses. The division also has Community Courts, which take a problem-solving approach to misdemeanor crimes, a drug court and a mental health court.
- Family Court Operations Division â€" Family court
- Family Court Central Intake Center (CIC) - all cases are filed here.
- Domestic Relations Branch â€" divorce, legal separation, annulment, child custody, habeas corpus, and adoption
- Juvenile and Neglect Branch â€" juvenile delinquency, child abuse and neglect.
- Paternity and Child Support Branch â€" establishment of paternity, child support, and wage withholding
- Marriage Bureau â€" marriage licenses/records; applications to perform marriage ceremonies in the District of Columbia by authorized ministers and others
- Mental Health and Habilitation Branch â€" "hospitalization and continued treatment of persons adjudicated as mentally retarded or in need of mental health services"
- Counsel for Child Abuse and Neglect Branch is responsible for the determination of party eligibility for court appointed counsel in child abuse and neglect proceedings and processes the appointment of attorneys for parties in these cases.
- Family Court Self Help Center â€" "provides legal information and assistance to self-represented parties in Family Court Cases."
- Family Treatment Court -"court-supervised, voluntary, comprehensive residential substance abuse treatment program for mothers/female caretakers whose children are the subject of a child neglect case."
- Domestic Violence Unit â€" Domestic violence - Handles cases of violence by a family member or romantic partner, person who shares living quarters, with whom one has a child in common, or between a former and current romantic partner. There are two intake centers: 1) the fourth floor of the Moultrie Courthouse, 2) the Medical Center at 1328 Southern Avenue, Suite 311. At either location those seeking a protection order can meet with police/prosecutor, advocate, file a petition for a stayaway order and/or custody, seek assistance of the Crime Victims Compensation Program and talk with an advocate to develop a safety plan.
- Probate Division/Office of the Register of Wills'
- Probate Resource Center - those without an attorney can consult volunteer attorneys about probate matters on Tuesday afternoons at the Probate Resource Center in Room 319 of Court Building A (515 Fifth Street, NW)
- Tax Division â€" Appeals and petitions for review of assessments made by the District of Columbia, as well as all proceedings brought by the District of Columbia for the imposition of criminal penalties pursuant to the provisions of the District of Columbia Code
- Family Court Social Services Division â€" This division supervises juveniles who are awaiting trial on juvenile charges or who are on probation after pleading or being found involved in a crime.
- Multi-Door Dispute Resolution Division â€" Mediation and alternative dispute resolution services.
- Special Operations Division
- Jurors Office
- Appeals Coordinator's Office
- Child Care Center
- Judge-in-Chambers
- Office of Court Interpreting Services
References
External links
- DC Courts' Official website
- DC Courts' facebook page
- DC Courts' twitter feed
- DC Courts' YouTube channel
- DC Courts' instgram page
