District of Columbia Courts

Welcome to the D.C. Courts' home page. The D.C. Courts, the judicial branch of the District of Columbia government, are comprised of the Court of Appeals, the highest court of the District; the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, a trial court with general jurisdiction over virtually all local legal matters; and the Court System, which provides administrative support functions for both Courts. The Joint Committee on Judicial Administration is the policy-making body for the D.C. Courts.

The mission of the District of Columbia Courts is to protect rights and liberties, uphold and interpret the law, and resolve disputes peacefully, fairly and effectively in the Nation's Capital.
find out more >

NOTE: FUNCTIONS IN COURT BUILDINGS A AND B TO MOVE TEMPORARILY For approximately two weeks, commencing June 23, 2008, Court Building B will be closed to allow for cleaning and lead paint abatement. The Landlord-Tenant and Small Claims clerks offices will be accepting filings in JM-170 in the Moultrie Courthouse. Scheduled Small Claims case hearings will take place in courtroom 114. If you arrive for a scheduled Landlord-Tenant case hearing before 10:30, it will take place in courtroom C-10; if you arrive after 10:30, please go to courtroom 111 (both in the Moultrie Courthouse). For more detailed information, click here.

For approximately two weeks, commencing June 30, 2008, Court Building A will be closed to allow for cleaning and lead paint abatement. Judges who sit in courtrooms in Building A will be using courtrooms in the Moultrie Courthouse, please check the board inside the lobby of Moultrie or go to the Daily Courtroom Assignment List page of the Courts' website. The Crime Victims Compensation Program will be accepting applications at the Domestic Violence Clerk's Office, Room 4242 of the Moultrie Courthouse. The Multi-Door Dispute Resolution Division, the Judicial Nominations Commission and the Judicial Tenure and Disabilities Commission have all relocated to the Courts' Gallery Place offices at 616 H Street, N.W. - 6th floor. The Probate Division Clerk's Office has relocated to the Jurors Dining Room on the C level of the Moultrie Courthouse. The Superior Court's Supervised Visitation Center has relocated to the Child Care Center on the C level of the Moultrie Courthouse. These changes are all temporary. Before visiting court offices or courtrooms that are located in Court Buildings A or B, we suggest you check back on-line or call the Courts' information desk at 202/879-1010.

The D.C. Courts are committed to providing a safe and secure environment for their employees, parties with cases before the court, and other members of the public. While these short-term building closures will cause some inconvenience, they enable the Courts to ensure that the buildings are healthy and safe.