Budget and Finance Division

The Budget and Finance Division of the District of Columbia Courts is responsible for using high quality financial and performance information to make and implement effective policy, management, stewardship, and program decisions. This Division prepares, enacts, and administers the D.C. Courts annual spending plan (budget); develops and maintains the accounting and reporting system of the D.C. Courts; receives and processes payments (i.e. court fees, fines, and forfeitures) made in the D.C. Courts; and issues, audits, reviews, tracks and pays vouchers for the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) and Counsel for Child Abuse and Neglect (CCAN) programs as well as makes payments for court-ordered compensation to legal and expert service providers under the D.C. Courts' Guardianship program. The Budget and Finance Division is comprised of the Director's Office and four branches: the Budget Branch, Accounting Branch, Banking and Finance Branch, and Defender Services Branch.

Budget Branch

• Assists the Division Director with the preparation of the D.C. Courts' operating
  and capital budgets
• Oversees the preparation of annual spending plans
• Monitors spending

Accounting Branch

• Prepares and maintains appropriation dollar amounts in the accounting system
• Performs the certification of funds available and payment functions
• Prepares all worksheets and coordinates activity related to the annual independent audit, resulting in the Annual Financial Report

Banking and Finance Branch

• Receives payments of court fees, fines and forfeitures
• Performs cash management operations
• Accounts for all monies held in escrow in the D.C. Courts' Registry
• Makes payments to witnesses in accordance with the D.C. Code and D.C. Courts'
  Rules

Defender Services Branch

• Issues, audits, reviews, tracks and pays vouchers for the Criminal Justice Act
  (CJA) and Counsel for Child Abuse and Neglect (CCAN) programs
• Reviews, processes and pays court-ordered compensation to legal and expert
  service providers related to the Guardianship program

Finance Payment Offices and Mailing Addresses:

Criminal and Family Finance Office
Moultrie Courthouse
500 Indiana Avenue, N.W., Room 4201
Washington, D.C. 20001
Phone: (202) 879-1840
Hours of Operation- Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm
Extended Hours- Monday-Friday, 5:00pm until one hour after the Arraignment Court has adjourned
Saturday and some holidays 9:00am until one hour after the Arraignment Court has adjourned

Probate Finance Office
Moultrie Courthouse
500 Indiana Avenue, N.W., Room 5000
Washington, D.C. 20001
Phone: (202) 879-1596
Hours of Operation- Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm

Civil Action Branch Finance Office
Moultrie Courthouse
500 Indiana Avenue, N.W., Room JM-170
Washington, D.C. 20001
Phone: (202) 879-1150
Hours of Operation- Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm

Civil Landlord and Tenant and Small Claims Branch Finance Office
Court Building B
510 4th Street, N.W., Room 115
Washington, D.C. 20001
Phone: (202) 508-1650
Hours of Operation- Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm
Extended Hours- Wednesday, 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Acceptable Methods of Payment are: cash, checks and money orders.
Directions for Mailing your Payment: Send payment with the case number, parties' names, and your return address written on the check or money order. If the address on the check is different from the return address, the person should include this information on a piece of paper accompanying the payment.

Refunds
Requests for refunds or disbursements are processed in accordance with the D.C. Courts' Accounting and Financial policies. A court order is required for the release of escrow. A duly completed and signed disbursement form is required for all other refunds.

To Post a Bond
Money Bonds are posted in the Criminal Finance Office located in Moultrie Courthouse, Room 4201. A bond may only be posted in the form of cash, money order or certified check. Personal checks are not accepted.

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