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Criminal Division

The Criminal Division hears all local criminal matters including felony, misdemeanor, and serious traffic cases.

The Criminal Division of the Superior Court is composed of four branches:

1. The Case Management Branch processes and maintains all active case files, including all felony and serious misdemeanors that are prosecuted by the United States Attorney's Office traffic violations and minor misdemeanors that are prosecuted by the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia. The Case Management Branch is located in room 4000 of the Moultrie Courthouse.
2. The Special Proceedings Branch processes and maintains all bench warrants, special proceedings cases (i.e. fugitives, witness subpoenas, mental competency matters, etc), and all closed cases (those cases that have reached a final disposition). The Branch also handles any requests for information from the public and processes motions to seal arrest records. The office will also handle any press inquiries concerning case scheduling or disposition information. Other press requests for information should be directed to the public information officer at 879-1700. The Special Proceedings Branch is located in room 4002 of the Moultrie Courthouse.
3. The Quality Assurance Branch reviews all cases coming from the courtroom to ensure that the appropriate paperwork has been generated and that the paperwork and the Court's database are accurate. The Branch also coordinates with the D.C. Jail and the United States Marshals Service to ensure that all detained defendants are brought to the courthouse when they have a scheduled case. The Quality Assurance Branch is located in room 4110 of the Moultrie Courthouse.
4. The Courtroom Support Branch is responsible for courtroom clerk staffing. Courtroom clerks assist the judges when they are presiding in the courtroom.

Filing Fees:
The Criminal Division has only two filing fees:
Motion to Seal Arrest Record $20
Appeal $100
(All filing fees may be waived if the defendant is indigent.)

Filing Motions:
All motions (except Motions to Seal Arrest Records) can be filed in the Case Management Branch, Room 4000. The Court requires the original document and one copy for use of the assigned judicial officer.

Motions to Seal Arrest Records can be filed in the Special Proceedings Branch, Room 4110. These motions also require the original document and one copy.

To Inquire About Future Court Dates:
You may call 202-879-1373 for all inquiries concerning future court dates. It is most helpful if you can provide the defendant's full name, the defendant's case number, or the Police Department Identification number (PDID).

Paying Fines, Court Costs, or Restitution:
All fines, court costs, and restitution payments can be made in the Court's Finance Office, which is located in Room 4024 (on the fourth floor, east wing, of the Moultrie Courthouse, 500 Indiana Avenue). The Court will accept cash, checks, and money orders.

To Post a Money Bond:
In order to ensure that a defendant returns to Court, the Court may order that a cash or surety bond be posted. The bond amount is paid to the Court and, if the defendant fails to appear, the bond will be forfeited. Money bonds are posted in the Court's Finance Office, which is located in Room 4024 (on the fourth floor, east wing, of the Moultrie Courthouse, 500 Indiana Avenue). Bonds may only be posted in the form of cash or money order - personal checks are not accepted. The Finance Office is open Monday - Saturday from 8:30 a.m. until one hour after the Arraignment Court has adjourned.

Information on Criminal Record:
The District of Columbia City Council enacted the Criminal Record Sealing Act of 2006. This act permits persons who have a criminal record to have their criminal record sealed provided they meet the eligibility criteria. For a copy of the Criminal Record Sealing Act of 2006, please click here.

You can obtain an information package on the Criminal Records Sealing law, including blank form motions, at the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia. Public Defender Service staff can give you advice on whether you are eligible to get your record(s) sealed and can answer your questions about how to complete the form motions and file them with the D.C. Superior Court on your own. The Public Defender Service will not, however, provide a lawyer to represent you on your motion. You can visit their offices at 633 Indiana Ave., NW, from Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. or call them at 202-628-1200 or 800-341-2582.

Criminal Division 2007 Statistical Summary [15k]

The District of Columbia Courts' Community Courts

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