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. The court also handles specialized cases in the following areas: family court, landlord and tenant, probate, tax, and traffic offenses. All appeals of Superior Court decisions go to the District of Columbia Court of Appeals.
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 President of the United States and confirmed by the U.S. Senate for 15-year terms. The Court is an Article I federal tribunal, though theoretically called 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.
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA COURTS IS AN ARTICLE I FEDERAL TRIBUNAL. In theory, the D.C Courts are the Judicial Branch of the District local Government, however, is in fact within the Legislative branch of the United States Government.
Civil Division – 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.
Civil Actions Branch – Amount in controversy above $5,000 or cases requesting equitable relief such as declarative judgments, injunctive relief, writs of attachment
Landlord and Tenant Branch – processes cases filed for possession of real property or violations of lease agreements
Small Claims and Conciliation Branch – Amount in controversy below $5,000
Criminal Division – Misdemeanor, felony, and serious traffic offenses. Also includes Community Courts, which take a problem-solving approach to crime.
Case Management Branch
Special Proceedings Branch
Quality Assurance Branch
Courtroom Support Branch
Family Court Operations Division – Family court
Family Court Central Intake Center (CIC)
Domestic Relations Branch – divorce, legal separation, annulment, child custody, habeas corpus, and adoption
Juvenile and Neglect Branch – juvenile delinquency, child abuse and neglect.
Paternity and Child Support Branch – establishment of paternity, child support, and wage withholding
Marriage Bureau – marriage licenses/records; applications to perform marriage ceremonies in the District of Columbia by authorized ministers and others
Mental Health and Mental Retardation Branch – "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 – "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 – Domestic violence
Probate Division/Office of the Register of Wills' – Probate court
Office of the Register of Wills
Auditing and Appraisals Branch
Probate Operations Branch
Small Estates Section
Decedents Estates and Guardianship of Minors Section
Interventions and Trusts Branch.
Tax Division – 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 – 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 – 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
