Superior Court of the District of Columbia

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Congress established the Superior Court of the District of Columbia as the trial court of general jurisdiction for the District of Columbia 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. The Superior Court handles all local trial matters, including civil, criminal, family, probate, tax, landlord-tenant, small claims, and traffic cases.

In Superior Court, the government is represented by the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia or the D.C. Office of Attorney General depending on the nature and severity of the crime or civil matter.

Contents 1 Organizational units 1.1 Civil Division 1.2 Criminal Division 1.3 Domestic Violence Unit 1.4 Family Court 1.5 Family Court Social Services Division 1.6 Multi-Door Dispute Resolution Division 1.7 Probate Division 1.8 Special Operations Division 1.9 Tax Division 2 See also 3 References

[edit] Organizational units

[edit] Civil Division

Civil actions and actions in equity are processed in the Civil Division. This division handles temporary restraining orders, other than those involving domestic violence. The United States federal courts have jurisdiction over some civil matters within the District of Columbia.

• Civil Actions Branch
• Landlord and Tenant Branch
• Small Claims Branch

[edit] Criminal Division

Misdemeanor, felony, and serious traffic offenses are heard in the Criminal Division. The Criminal Division also includes Community Courts, which take a problem-solving approach to crime.

[edit] Domestic Violence Unit

[edit] Family Court

Family Court Operations Division

• Domestic Relations Branch, which includes the Marriage Bureau Section
• Juvenile and Neglect Branch
• Paternity and Child Child Support Branch
• Mental Health and Mental Retardation Branch
• Counsel for Child Abuse and Neglect (CCAN) Office

[edit] Family Court Social Services Division

This division handles juveniles who are pre-trial or on probation.

[edit] Multi-Door Dispute Resolution Division

This division provides mediation services and alternative dispute resolution.

[edit] Probate Division

[edit] Special Operations Division

• Jurors Office
• Appeals Coordinator's Office
• Child Care Center
• Judge-in-Chambers
• Office of Court Interpreting Services

[edit] Tax Division

Appeals of D.C. tax assessments are brought before the Tax Division.

[edit] See also

List of Current Superior Court Judges of the District of Columbia

[edit] References

• Superior Court of the District of Columbia
• DC Judge Biographies